Words to my heart music

Separation of church and state... it shouldn't be a complex issue but too many of our elected representatives muddle it up. I've tried to explain how I feel but it's like talking to an empty room sometimes...

But then I found this post from Texas:

The real question is not whether GLBT people should be allowed to marry; the question should be is there a valid reason for the government to sanction marriage of any kind?

The Maryland General Assembly has seen the issue this way and has a bill pending that would eliminate all civil marriage and replace it with recognized domestic partnerships. The term marriage would be left to the religious sector where it belongs and the RDPs would be the construct for all legal purposes. Consider it a separation of church and state issue. Marriage is a religious institution and Domestic Partnerships can function for tax and other legal purposes.

This kind of law makes debates about “gay marriage” toothless. After all, the state gives equal rights to all its citizens and it’s up to churches to perform marriage ceremonies. This move will no doubt enrage many folks on the right, but to me it makes complete sense. It keeps the government out of the religious institution of marriage completely. Couples can be joined in a civil union and still receive all the rights of a married couple without the need for a religious ceremony.

For a gay or lesbian couple to get “married” they would first get a civil ceremony and then find a friendly church. This gets the government out of the marriage business and that seems a good idea to me.

DUH.

Christian Principles in an Election Year

I try to post this every year... as a liberal who also somehow manages to be a Christian at the same time (YES, IT CAN BE DONE!), I sure wish other "C"hristians would remember the following...

Christian Principles in an Election Year

July 14, 2004, NEW YORK CITY - The National Council of Churches USA has released 10 principles for evaluating candidates that it hopes all Christians - from liberals to conservatives - will study and apply in this election year.

Our Christian faith compels us to address the world through the lens of our relationship to God and to one another. Public discourse is enhanced as we engage civic leaders on the values and ethics affirmed by our faith. At the same time, religious liberty and the integrity of our democracy will be protected as candidates refrain from using faith-based organizations and institutions for partisan gain. We offer these ten principles to those seeking to accept the responsibility that comes with holding public office.

1. War is contrary to the will of God. While the use of violent force may, at times, be a necessity of last resort, Christ pronounces his blessing on the peacemakers. We look for political leaders who will make peace with justice a top priority and who will actively seek nonviolent solutions to conflict.

2. God calls us to live in communities shaped by peace and cooperation. We reject policies that abandon large segments of our inner city and rural populations to hopelessness. We look for political leaders who will re-build our communities and bring an end to the cycles of violence and killing.

3. God created us for each other, and thus our security depends on the well-being of our global neighbors. We look for political leaders for whom a foreign policy based on cooperation and global justice is an urgent concern.

4. God calls us to be advocates for those who are most vulnerable in our society. We look for political leaders who yearn for economic justice and who will seek to reduce the growing disparity between rich and poor.

5. Each human being is created in the image of God and is of infinite worth. We look for political leaders who actively promote racial justice and equal opportunity for everyone.

6. The earth belongs to God and is intrinsically good. We look for political leaders who recognize the earth's goodness, champion environmental justice, and uphold our responsibility to be stewards of God’s creation.

7. Christians have a biblical mandate to welcome strangers. We look for political leaders who will pursue fair immigration policies and speak out against xenophobia.

8. Those who follow Christ are called to heal the sick. We look for political leaders who will support adequate, affordable and accessible health care for all.

9. Because of the transforming power of God’s grace, all humans are called to be in right relationship with each other. We look for political leaders who seek a restorative, not retributive, approach to the criminal justice system and the individuals within it.

10. Providing enriched learning environments for all of God’s children is a moral imperative. We look for political leaders who will advocate for equal educational opportunity and abundant funding for children’s services.

Finally, our religious tradition admonishes us not to bear false witness against our neighbor and to love our enemies. We ask that the campaigns of political candidates and the coverage of the media in this election season be conducted according to principles of fairness, honesty and integrity.

A study guide to the principles is available on this Web site at: www.ncccusa.org/electionyearprinciplesguide.html.

I just wish he'd kiss me first...

WARNING: If you are sensitive to suggestive/racy/risque videos, do NOT watch this! They don't "show" anything but it is VERY suggestive.

That being said, it's pretty funny... in a sad sad way.

Thanks, Lane at News For The Left, for sharing this!

Republican Family Values

Republican Family Values

The family values epitomized by far right polititians and pundits including:

(a) phone sex with subordinates,

(b) prescription drug abuse,

(c) republiporn such as Scooter Libby's novel about prepubescent girls being raped by bears or Lynne Cheney's novel about lesbian sex in the old west,

(d) public uses of expletives and

(e) underage drinking and drug use by sons and daughters.

Now that Tom was in the top 1% tax bracket, he could openly display his Republican family values by sharing his cocaine with his kid's babysitter.

MY FAVORITE QUOTE OF THE DAY:

In reference to Dirk Kempthorne:

"I guess having an illegitimate child is honoring 'family values', and having a mistress enhances the 'sanctity of marriage'."

by Bubba Barney

For more displays of Republican Family Values, check out:

Do we REALLY want GOP to be our role models on family values and spirituality?
GOP Convention in town? Diary of a Strip Club Waitress...

Protect ALL of Idaho's children

Rep. Bob Nonini from Coeur d'Alene has proposed a bill to require parental consent BEFORE any student can join ANY school club. It was not given a hearing but was sent directly to the floor of the house and will be up for a vote on Tuesday April 4, 2006.

What is the purpose of this bill? Are too many parents complaining about the subersive recruitment of their children into Chess Clubs? Or Honor Society? Does Nonini want to make sure parents give permission for their children to join the dangerous Ski Clubs? What is the purpose of this bill?

And why didn't it receive any hearings? Is this an issue that is so critical in order to maintain parental control that it needs to be rushed through the process? Is he worried about the health and safety of Idaho children who are joining the Reading Club this month? Is he frightened of the impact upon Idaho children if they join the Dodge Ball Club?

Is it possible that perhaps Nonini has his own agenda?

I think that Nonini is attempting to force his homophobic beliefs upon Idaho citizens. Because, really, what is the big deal about parental consent before your child joins a club at school? Why is he trying to sneak this in?

He is trying to seek this into law in order to prevent gay and lesbian students from having support clubs. I guess by eliminating the clubs, he believes these students will no longer be gay or something. When the truth is that these students will only be prevented from receiving support and acceptance.

We need to acknowledge that gay and lesbian children are STILL Idaho's children, even if conservative bigots wish to demote them to second class citizens.

We need to be aware that without some support outside the family, many teens turn to suicide.

FORCING our children to seek parental consent in order to seek support will put many teens at risk of parental violence or homelessness.

We also need to be aware that schools in other states have lost multi-million dollar law suits for failing to ensure kids have a safe environment in which to learn.

How many of us remember the trauma experienced by our classmates who didn't fit in when we were in school? How many of us remember how the bullies physically and emotionally assaulted the kids who were different? Did that change them? Or did it scar them? How can we, in good conscience, create a barrier for Idaho's children as they try to seek acceptance and support?

It is my understanding that the highest cause of death among gay and lesbian teenagers is suicide. In my opinion, this is NOT acceptable.

For more information as to what steps are being taken in order to protect these children, please go to 43rd State Blues.

Kissin' a** achieves more than a brown nose...

This is not just an Idaho issue... Americans who are concerned about how this administration nominates "qualified" (?) individuals to cabinet/Supreme Court/etc. posts and comes up with questionable programs for solving our health care, economy, education, environment, and homeland security issues should pay CLOSE attention to the current nomination of Idaho's own "Governor Rogaine" (loved that name!) to the position of Interior Secretary.

Keep in mind that this is the same administration who accomplished the following (thank you to Make Them Accountable):
Inexperienced 28-Year-Old Bush Staffer Appointed to Critical Homeland Security Post
The Bush administration has appointed 28-year-old former White House staffer Doug Hoelscher as the executive director of the Homeland Security Advisory Committees.
In his new position, Hoelscher will gather expert advice “on behalf of the president and the Homeland Security secretary” from 20 other advisory boards covering “key areas of homeland security, including threats to infrastructure and preventing terrorist attacks that use weapons of mass destruction.” His experience?

Hoelscher has no management experience, a review of his professional credentials shows. He came to government in 2001 as a low-level White House staffer, arranging presidential travel, according to news reports. He earned $30,000 a year, salary documents show…
But back to Kempthorne...

Idaho bloggers and others are expressing their concerns and opinions... I won't pretend to know enough about the issues to write more here--that would be redundant and foolish! However, I do encourage all Americans to pay attention to this nomination... become informed and share your opinions with others--including YOUR representatives and senators! I would like to also pass on this reading recommendation:

"Go to www.freemarketduck.com and order their recent book, "BOISE'S WATERGATE: University Place and All the Governor's Men". It details (in lurid detail) the true high crimes & misdameanors of the Kempthorne Administration."

More discussion is happening at:
Red State Rebels
43rd State Blues
DailyKos #1
DailyKos #2
Political Game

NOTE:
Not that this has anything to do with protecting our interior, but I did find it quite interesting that a Republican (you know, the political party with the direct line to God, unlike us pagan liberals) would be rumored to have a mistress who has borne a child by him! I'm SO disappointed! (And surprised also! Gosh! So much for Idaho and "family values"!)

Idaho Laws That We Ignore (Part 2)

TITLE 18

CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS

CHAPTER 66

SEX CRIMES

18-6601. ADULTERY. A married man who has sexual intercourse with a woman not his wife, an unmarried man who has sexual intercourse with a married woman, a married woman who has sexual intercourse with a man not her husband, and an unmarried woman who has sexual intercourse with a married man, shall be guilty of adultery, and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $100, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not less than three months, or by imprisonment in the state penitentiary for a period not exceeding three years, or in the county jail for a period not exceeding one year, or by fine not exceeding $1000.

Let's start enforcing this "family value law" along with the same-sex marriage law. Do you think that our Christian role-model leaders will support THIS law? What if we started publicly NAMING those religious hypocrites who have cheated on their spouses? I can think of a couple who have committed adultery who are no longer in office... and another man who posted on the Idaho Values Alliance blog about the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman. Enough of this "holier-than-thou, we'll make rules for YOU to follow, but we don't have to" attitude!

Bigots and hypocrites do NOT represent ME!

I've posted several times about my frustration and concerns regarding how the religious right feels the need to mandate our morals and protect us from the evil of same-sex marriage. I've written to the legislators several times and it was so disappointing and frightening to see how many still just don't get it. Kudo's to Representative Chuck Coiner (R) for representing ALL Idahoans and resisting the call of his party to "fall in step" with the rest of them!

I am stunned that so many in our legislature cannot see that this issue is more based upon homophobia and NOT on family values...

I am horrified that our legislature has such a backwards sense of priorities for Idaho citizens...

I especially find it offensive that these so-called "public servants" now claim the higher ground because they NOW want to turn this decision over to the citizens of Idaho... like all of a sudden they CARE what we want? Where were they when we wanted TERM LIMITS?

Even Lynne Cheney seems to have somewhat of a grasp of how love can be expressed outside of man-woman relationships... and I'm not just talking about her daughter!

This blatant expression of bigotry is offensive and we must acknowledge the bigots who claim to represent Idaho... is this REALLY what we want Idaho to be about? Bigotry, discrimination, and homophobia? Thank you, Eva, for directing us to the list of legislators who want to align our state with the religious right who try to dictate how we live our lives...

As Peter Hansen states on his website, "Life in Bush Country":

"Other than telling us how to live, think, marry, pray, vote, invest, educate our children and, now, die, I think the Republicans have done a fine job of getting government out of our personal lives."

Family Values? Or Homophobic?

To Idaho Senate Committee on State Affairs,

As Idaho's government considers putting a ban on same-sex marriage, I hope that we also consider other laws which will also be needed to protect our "family values" in Idaho.

What is the current status of laws against adultery? How many are arrested each year and what is the average prison sentence? If we started throwing adulterers in jail, perhaps they would think twice about cheating next time and we'd have fewer divorces, fewer single parent families, etc. That would be GOOD FOR IDAHO'S FAMILIES!

We also need to beef up the laws which are designed to enforce the payment of child support because we all know that many noncustodial parents are not current with their support. We should develop a registry of delinquent parents and have their pictures printed in the newspapers. If we started punishing those who do not support their children, then maybe the rest would either make their payments or maybe even stay married! That would be GOOD FOR IDAHO'S FAMILIES! (We need to also SEVERELY punish the employers who "pay under the table" so the State can't catch them.)

We should also start punishing all individuals who conceive babies out of wedlock. Oh, and also, according to the Bible, divorce is prohibited unless it is based upon immorality--so let's repeal any laws allowing no-contest divorces. Jesus said that,

"Anyone who divorces his wife and marries another woman commits adultery against her. And if she divorces her husband and marries another man, she commits adultery."

(Mark 10) So we've got a lot of Idaho men and women we need to prosecute as well. That would be GOOD FOR IDAHO FAMILIES!

Let's close our bars because drunkenness is not in the best interest of our families either. No more Playboy magazines and porno channels via our satellite... let's make it against the law to have any sexual references on our local channels as well. Let's clean up Idaho and make it a FAMILY VALUE state!! That would be GOOD FOR IDAHO FAMILIES!

Obviously, you know I'm being sarcastic... but if Idahoans are not truly just being "homophobic" but REALLY want to have our laws protect our "family values", then let's at least be consistent!!

{Internet favorite, originally "written" to Dr. Laura, altered to fit Idaho's legislature.}

Dear Idaho:

Thank you for doing so much to educate people regarding God's Law. I have learned a great deal from you, and try to share that knowledge with as many people as I can. When someone tries to defend the homosexual lifestyle, for example, I simply remind them that Leviticus 18:22 clearly states it to be an abomination. End of debate.

I do need some advice from you, however, regarding some of the other specific laws and how to follow them.

1. When I burn a bull on the altar as a sacrifice, I know it creates a pleasing odor for the Lord - Lev.1:9. The problem is my neighbors. They claim the odor is not pleasing to them. Should I smite them?

2. I would like to sell my daughter into slavery, as sanctioned in Exodus 21:7. In this day and age, what do you think would be a fair price for her?

3. I know that I am allowed no contact with a woman while she is in her period of menstrual cleanliness - Lev.15:19-24. The problem is, how do I tell? I have tried asking, but most women take offense.

4. Lev. 25:44 states that I may indeed possess slaves, both male and female, provided they are purchased from neighboring nations. A friend of mine claims that this applies to Mexicans, but not Canadians. Can you clarify? Why can't I own Canadians?

5. I have a neighbor who insists on working on the Sabbath. Exodus 35:2 clearly states he should be put to death. Am I morally obligated to kill him myself?

6. A friend of mine feels that even though eating shellfish is an abomination - Lev. 11:10, it is a lesser abomination than homosexuality. I don't agree. Can you settle this?

7. Lev. 21:20 states that I may not approach the altar of God if I have a defect in my sight. I have to admit that I wear reading glasses. Does my vision have to be 20/20, or is there some wiggle room here?

8. Most of my male friends get their hair trimmed, including the hair around their temples, even though this is expressly forbidden by Lev. 19:27. How should they die?

9. I know from Lev. 11:6-8 that touching the skin of a dead pig makes me unclean, but may I still play football if I wear gloves?

10. My uncle has a farm. He violates Lev. 19:19 by planting two different crops in the same field, as does his wife by wearing garments made of two different kinds of thread (cotton/polyester blend). He also tends to curse and blaspheme a lot. Is it really necessary that we go to all the trouble of getting the whole town together to stone them? - Lev.24:10-16. Couldn't we just burn them to death at a private family affair like we do with people who sleep with their in-laws? (Lev. 20:14)

I know you have studied these things extensively, so I am confident you can help. Thank you again for reminding us that God's word is eternal and unchanging.

A proud Idahoan,
"Spud"