Action Alert: Let's Stop McCain's Filibuster and Repeal DADT

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Monday September 20, 2010 · 10:00 AM PDT

2010/09/20 · 10:00

Action Alert: Tomorrow, Tuesday September 21st, there will be a key vote in the U.S. Senate that will affect the possible repeal of the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Law. According to the Washington Post, Senator John McCain will attempt to filibuster the repeal effort. So, it's up to you and me to contact some senators, who are on the fence. The reporter, Ed O'Keefe at the Washington Post tells us that the Executive Director of Servicemembers Legal Defence Network has stated: "We need Sens. Snowe and Collins on board; they're key to us breaking the filibuster."

Poll

49 votes Show Results

Which of the following conservative Senators should we also focus on contacting in order to get a majority for repealing D.A.D.T.?

49 votes Vote Now!

Which of the following conservative Senators should we also focus on contacting in order to get a majority for repealing D.A.D.T.?

Senator Dick Lugar of Indiana

5 votes

Senator George Voinovich of Ohio

12 votes

Senator Lisa Murkowski of Alaska

3 votes

I'll give my answer in the comments below...

0 votes

Contact them all!

24 votes

I have no opinion.

3 votes

Repealing Don't Ask, Don't Tell: A Call to Action

Curiosity

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Wednesday May 12, 2010 · 11:50 AM PDT

2010/05/12 · 11:50

To follow up on the great diaries of Clarknt67 and JPMassar from this morning, I wanted to provide another easy way for Kossacks to contact their senators about repealing the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Law (DADT). As many of you know, the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) will be considering whether to take action on repealing the unfair Don't Ask, Don't Tell Policy within about a week. The time to act is now. It is imperative that we show our support of this repeal today. Please join us.

Poll

17 votes Show Results

Have you or a friend been affected by homophobia or transphobia?

17 votes Vote Now!

Have you or a friend been affected by homophobia or transphobia?

Yes, I've been personally affected

11 votes

No, I've not been personally affected, but my friends have been

4 votes

Unsure

0 votes

I have no opinion

1 vote

Washington state and Maine Voters: Please Support Equality!

Curiosity

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Tuesday November 03, 2009 · 12:33 PM PST

2009/11/03 · 12:33

Good Morning Fellow Voters!

As some of you may know, today is a very important Election Day in Washington state and Maine. In these two states, voters will have the opportunity to show their support for equality by Voting To Approve Referendum 71 (in Washington state) and Voting No on Question 1 in the great state of Maine. Or, if you're not a resident of Maine or Washington state, you can still help in other ways (as I will explain below). For instance, you can make a simple phone call to your friends and family - And ask them to Support Equality by approving Referendum 71 and voting No-on-1 in the state of Maine.

Poll

39 votes Show Results

Will you be voting today (or have you already voted) where you live?

39 votes Vote Now!

Will you be voting today (or have you already voted) where you live?

Yes

26 votes

8 votes

Unsure or no response

0 votes

S'mores Pie

3 votes

The U.S.'s Oldest LGBT Bookstore In Philly Needs Your Help

Curiosity

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Thursday July 23, 2009 · 9:56 AM PDT

2009/07/23 · 09:56

As some of you may know, the U.S.'s oldest gay and lesbian bookstore, Giovanni's Room of Philadelphia PA, has recently learned some sad news. About 2 weeks ago, the company's owners announced that they must re-build one of its building's large exterior brick walls. As of now, the wall facing 12th Street in beginning to collapse in on itself (yikes!), and the total cost to rebuild the wall is nearly $50,000. I feel so terrible for these good folks. The company's Press Release on this matter follows below the fold. And I thought I'd let you know about ways of helping ...

Poll

42 votes Show Results

How often do you visit locally owned bookstores?

42 votes Vote Now!

How often do you visit locally owned bookstores?

1-3 times a month

15 votes

1-3 times a week

3 votes

Once a day

2 votes

1-3 times a year

5 votes

More than 3 times a year

7 votes

I have no opinion

3 votes

Pie

5 votes

Washington D.C. Recognizes Same-Sex Marriages Today

Curiosity

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Tuesday July 07, 2009 · 8:22 AM PDT

2009/07/07 · 08:22

Hey there, I wanted to provide our online community with some interesting news about the struggle for marriage equality in/around the US. Today is a great historical moment because Washington D.C. has officially begun to recognize the marriages of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in the District of Columbia (right on Congress's doorstep)! This news comes from 365Gay.com and the Washington Blade (an online news service that reports on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender concerns). In a related vein, while this "step" will only allow the LGBT community to be recognized, it is widely believed that the D.C. Council Members could approve Marriage Equality Legislation in the coming year. I'm hoping this will happen very soon.

Poll

73 votes Show Results

When will we see 50% of the US offering marriage equality?

73 votes Vote Now!

When will we see 50% of the US offering marriage equality?

On or around the year 2012

11 votes

Somewhere near the year 2016

21 votes

Approximately, the year 2020

19 votes

Perhaps 2024

5 votes

Close to 2028

1 vote

Somewhere way in the future!

4 votes

I don't know, but hopefully soon!

6 votes

I have no response

0 votes

Pie, unicorns and rainbows

4 votes

1 child survives this morning's crash of Yemenia's flight 626

Curiosity

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Tuesday June 30, 2009 · 9:18 AM PDT

2009/06/30 · 09:18

As reported by the New York Times, there appears to be one sole survivor from this most recent air disaster that happened this early Tuesday morning. The Yemenia airline's flight 626 went down into the ocean, carrying 142 passengers and 11 crew-members from the Yemen city of Sana to another city Moroni, which is on the main island of Grand Comore (of the nation Comoros). This news was briefly reported in last night's Over Night Digest, but I thought some people might not have read this news. The sole survivor's identity has yet to be confirmed by the Mainstream media.

Curiosity

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Sunday June 21, 2009 · 7:18 PM PDT

2009/06/21 · 19:18

Aside of politics, one of my other interests is that of unusual (and beautiful) plants. I should confess I'm not a botanist. I just have a love of the natural world - both plants and animals. And since I'm something of a conservationist, I'm often eager to talk with people about plants, trees & natural resources in general. I thought I'd share one of my most recent loves - The Monkey Puzzle Tree (Araucaria araucana). This plant is indeed unusual in terms of its history and biology.

This enigmatic tree is native to Chile and Argentina, though it's gaining in popularity in the states. It's found in many places world-wide because it's a rather hardy plant. Besides Chile, this tree has become popular in England and the west coast of the US (i.e., Oregon and Washington state). But, this species doesn't thrive well in very dry-hot climates. This plant is currently classified as Vulnerable (one step above endangered) by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Here's a picture of a younger tree ~

Poll

85 votes Show Results

Which rare or unusual plant should I profile next time?

85 votes Vote Now!

Which rare or unusual plant should I profile next time?

The Corpse Flower

17 votes

The Elephant Foot Tree

14 votes

The Wollemi Pine (the Dinosaur Tree)

18 votes

The Dragon Tree

15 votes

The Resurrection Plant

10 votes

I have no opinion

5 votes

Pie

3 votes

D.C. Officials Block Marriage Referendum & Anti-Gay Bigotry

Curiosity

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Monday June 15, 2009 · 8:38 PM PDT

2009/06/15 · 20:38

Here's some GREAT news today, which comes from Washington D.C.! The Washington Blade, which is an online gay and lesbian news service, reports that the D.C. Board of Elections and Ethics has successfully blocked a petition to hold a referendum on whether only "opposite-sex marriage" should be recognized in Washington D.C. This is an exciting development because Bishop Harry R. Jackson of Beltsville, Maryland was trying to stop D.C. from recognizing same-gender marriages from elsewhere. As you may know, D.C. recently passed a measure that would allow D.C. businesses and government to recognize same-gender marriages performed elswhere, such as Connecticut.

Poll

118 votes Show Results

If I may ask - How do you identify?

118 votes Vote Now!

If I may ask - How do you identify?

I'm a gay or bisexual dude...

40 votes

I'm a transman who's gay or bi

2 votes

I'm a transman who's straight

0 votes

I'm a straight man

30 votes

I'm a straight woman

11 votes

I'm a lesbian or bi woman

12 votes

I'm a transwoman who's straight

0 votes

I'm a transwoman who's gay or bi

3 votes

I'm a person who doesn't believe in labels

5 votes

I'm asexual

4 votes

I'm intersex and straight

0 votes

I'm intersex and gay or bi

0 votes

I identify sexually in another way

3 votes

I don't wish to respond

1 vote

Pie

4 votes

SCOTUS Nominee Sotomayor Condemned Anti-Gay Violence

Curiosity

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Wednesday June 10, 2009 · 11:47 AM PDT

2009/06/10 · 11:47

Today, the online-version of the Advocate Magazine published an interesting story about a Letter to the Editor signed by Supreme Court Justice Nominee Sonia Sotomayor in 1976. In the letter to the editor of the Princeton University daily newspaper, Sotomayor joined 38 other people in condemning an attack against 2 students that were members of Princeton's Gay Alliance. This news may be of interest to some who are curious of Sotomayor's personal politics. To clarify, it should be noted that the letter itself is a defense of the First Amendment, and not gay life per se.

Poll

39 votes Show Results

What do you think of Sotomayor's views on gays and lesbians?

39 votes Vote Now!

What do you think of Sotomayor's views on gays and lesbians?

It's tough to know, but I'm hopeful that she's supportive.

14 votes

I think this letter shows some kind of support.

8 votes

She's trying to be a centrist, so I don't know what to think.

4 votes

I'm doubtful that she supports gays and lesbians.

6 votes

I haven't been paying enough attention.

1 vote

Pie is delicious.

3 votes

Where's the Science in Mainstream Media? I'm still looking.

Curiosity

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Sunday June 07, 2009 · 8:14 PM PDT

2009/06/07 · 20:14

Alright, I'll admit it - I'm a bit of a nerd. I'm really interested in all things science-related. I loved my science classes in school, and I'm a huge fan of science fiction. Of course, I'm no doctor, and I'm not a scientist in any way. But I still love it because, from my perspective, science will show us things that we ordinarily might not notice. We use scientific methods to learn about - our bodies, our world, our universe and much, much more. As as a news-junkie, I'm often looking for news stories about biology, astronomy, the whole shebang. But I continue to be astounded about how the Mainstream Media does not really report on science as science. Instead, it's disguised or ghettoized to specialty markets.

Poll

46 votes Show Results

Does the Mainstream Media report about science enough?

46 votes Vote Now!

Does the Mainstream Media report about science enough?

No ... I want to see more science in the news headlines

41 votes

Not enough for my liking, but there's some science in the news

4 votes

I'm unsure ... let me get back to you!

0 votes

Yes, the Mainstream Media does report enough science news.

1 vote

I have no opinion...

0 votes

I'll respond in the comment section below...

0 votes

Pie

0 votes

No Harry Reid, I won't "wait" & send you $$$

Curiosity

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday June 02, 2009 · 4:13 PM PDT

2009/06/02 · 16:13

On 5/19/2009, I wrote a diary here, that discussed the U.S. Senate's inaction on the Matthew Shepard Act, which was passed in the U.S. House of Reps on April 28th 2009 (249-175). In my diary, I pointed to how 3 weeks had gone by since the House's vote, and Harry Reid still hadn't scheduled a vote for the Matthew Shepard Act (S-909). As you may know, the current hate crime laws don't protect (nor recognize) people with disabilities, or gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender people.

This new Act (S-909) would fill in those gaps. But, let's look at the calendar - Oh! - 2 more weeks have passed since my diary on May 19th. The Senate still hasn't scheduled a vote. But, I have received a request for contributions from the Democratic National Committee. They write: It's vital to contribute money NOW. Uh-huh. Suffice it to say, I won't be sending the DNC any money. At least, not till I see some progress being made on the Matthew Shepard Act...

Poll

48 votes Show Results

Do you think the Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Act?

48 votes Vote Now!

Do you think the Senate will vote on the Matthew Shepard Act?

It's tough to tell ... but I hope so!

3 votes

I don't honestly know ... I haven't followed this.

3 votes

I am doubting Harry Reid's ability to get the job done.

24 votes

Unfortunately, it looks like this bill won't pass, again.

6 votes

Yes, Harry Reid will definitely get the job done.

3 votes

I want to see more of Money Cat

6 votes

These senators have pooties & woozles that need cuddling!

1 vote

I have no opinion...

1 vote

Pie

1 vote

A Gay Pride Month Proclamation from Pres. Obama (updated)

Curiosity

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Monday June 01, 2009 · 2:32 PM PDT

2009/06/01 · 14:32

Hi there Kossacks,

I thought some of you might be interested in seeing the Proclamation by President Obama about Gay Pride Month (the White House just made it public). For those who don't know, Pride month typically is a celebratory month to recognize the Stonewall Riots in 1969, and it serves as a means to reflect on the struggles of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) community. I'll update this diary as I learn more and see how people react. I thought you'd be interested since we have repeatedly debated President Obama's stances (and silence) on LGBT concerns and struggles. I thought his statement was rather cool, so check it out. I'm glad to see him making this proclamation.

Update: I've added Secretary Clinton's remarks on Pride Month below now too ...

Poll

225 votes Show Results

What do you think of President Obama's proclamation?

225 votes Vote Now!

What do you think of President Obama's proclamation?

This is really awesome!!!

71 votes

Wow, this is sort of cool.

33 votes

Eh, this is alright ... I want to see him do more.

93 votes

Huh ... I'm surprised he published this.

14 votes

Hmm, I'll have to do some more reading on it.

1 vote

I have no opinion...

5 votes

Pie

8 votes

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