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.

Bad Larry! No more bones for you!

I don't have much to say regarding the Larry Craig incident... which is a good thing, since so many others have already said as much or more than I could (and so much better as well!)... but my main frustration is that, as a mother, I'm sick to death of the criticism of law enforcement and their "sting operation".

If law enforcement is aware of public sexual behavior in places which my children can access--whether in a men's bathroom or in the bushes at the park, whether homosexual or heterosexual -- then I sure as hell expect them to do whatever they need to do in order to get it stopped. I cannot be everywhere with my kids and I do not appreciate ANYBODY having sexual activities in a public area.

This is not about homosexuality... it's about common decency and appropriate behavior. It is my expectation that law enforcement would act upon citizen complaints about illegal behavior... and I would be furious if my children were exposed to public sex and I learned that the authorities had prior knowledge and hadn't done anything.

Can people please get their priorities straight? How can someone say that homosexuality and gay marriage threatens "family values" but get their panties in a twist because their good ol' boy got busted by our LAW ENFORCEMENT doing their jobs???

To the police officer: THANK YOU.
To Larry: GET A ROOM!

"Interview with God"

{Originally posted in 2001 from Theonion.com but worth re-posting as idiots like Bill Sali and Trish and Hallie and all of these other so-called "Christian" extremists still have their heads inserted in their posteriors... }

NEW YORK—Responding to recent events on Earth, God, the omniscient creator-deity worshipped by billions of followers of various faiths for more than 6,000 years, angrily clarified His longtime stance against humans killing each other Monday.

"Look, I don't know, maybe I haven't made myself completely clear, so for the record, here it is again," said the Lord, His divine face betraying visible emotion during a press conference near the site of the fallen Twin Towers.

"Somehow, people keep coming up with the idea that I want them to kill their neighbor. Well, I don't. And to be honest, I'm really getting sick and tired of it. Get it straight. Not only do I not want anybody to kill anyone, but I specifically commanded you not to, in really simple terms that anybody ought to be able to understand."

Worshipped by Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike, God said His name has been invoked countless times over the centuries as a reason to kill in what He called "an unending cycle of violence."

"I don't care how holy somebody claims to be," God said. "If a person tells you it's My will that they kill someone, they're wrong. Got it? I don't care what religion you are, or who you think your enemy is, here it is one more time: No killing, in My name or anyone else's, ever again."

The press conference came as a surprise to humankind, as God rarely intervenes in earthly affairs. As a matter of longstanding policy, He has traditionally left the task of interpreting His message and divine will to clerics, rabbis, priests, imams, and Biblical scholars. Theologians and laymen alike have been given the task of pondering His ineffable mysteries, deciding for themselves what to do as a matter of faith. His decision to manifest on the material plane was motivated by the deep sense of shock, outrage, and sorrow He felt over the Sept. 11 violence carried out in His name, and over its dire potential ramifications around the globe.

"I tried to put it in the simplest possible terms for you people, so you'd get it straight, because I thought it was pretty important," said God, called Yahweh and Allah respectively in the Judaic and Muslim traditions.

"I guess I figured I'd left no real room for confusion after putting it in a four-word sentence with one-syllable words, on the tablets I gave to Moses. How much more clear can I get?"

"But somehow, it all gets twisted around and, next thing you know, somebody's spouting off some nonsense about, 'God says I have to kill this guy, God wants me to kill that guy, it's God's will,'" God continued.

"It's not God's will, all right? News flash: 'God's will' equals 'Don't murder people.'"

Worse yet, many of the worst violators claim that their actions are justified by passages in the Bible, Torah, and Qur'an.

"To be honest, there's some contradictory stuff in there, okay?" God said. "So I can see how it could be pretty misleading. I admit it—My bad. I did My best to inspire them, but a lot of imperfect human agents have misinterpreted My message over the millennia. Frankly, much of the material that got in there is dogmatic, doctrinal bullshit. I turn My head for a second and, suddenly, all this stuff about homosexuality gets into Leviticus, and everybody thinks it's God's will to kill gays. It absolutely drives Me up the wall."

God praised the overwhelming majority of His Muslim followers as "wonderful, pious people," calling the perpetrators of the Sept. 11 attacks rare exceptions.

"This whole medieval concept of the jihad, or holy war, had all but vanished from the Muslim world in, like, the 10th century, and with good reason," God said. "There's no such thing as a holy war, only unholy ones. The vast majority of Muslims in this world reject the murderous actions of these radical extremists, just like the vast majority of Christians in America are pissed off over those two bigots on The 700 Club."

Continued God, "Read the book: 'Allah is kind, Allah is beautiful, Allah is merciful.' It goes on and on that way, page after page. But, no, some assholes have to come along and revive this stupid holy-war crap just to further their own hateful agenda. So now, everybody thinks Muslims are all murderous barbarians. Thanks, Taliban: 1,000 years of pan-Islamic cultural progress down the drain."

God stressed that His remarks were not directed exclusively at Islamic extremists, but rather at anyone whose ideological zealotry overrides his or her ability to comprehend the core message of all world religions.

"I don't care what faith you are, everybody's been making this same mistake since the dawn of time," God said. "The Muslims massacre the Hindus, the Hindus massacre the Muslims. The Buddhists, everybody massacres the Buddhists. The Jews, don't even get me started on the hardline, right-wing, Meir Kahane-loving Israeli nationalists, man. And the Christians? You people believe in a Messiah who says, 'Turn the other cheek,' but you've been killing everybody you can get your hands on since the Crusades."

Growing increasingly wrathful, God continued: "Can't you people see? What are you, morons? There are a ton of different religious traditions out there, and different cultures worship Me in different ways. But the basic message is always the same: Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Shintoism... every religious belief system under the sun, they all say you're supposed to love your neighbors, folks! It's not that hard a concept to grasp."

"Why would you think I'd want anything else? Humans don't need religion or God as an excuse to kill each other—you've been doing that without any help from Me since you were freaking apes!" God said. "The whole point of believing in God is to have a higher standard of behavior. How obvious can you get?"

"I'm talking to all of you, here!" continued God, His voice rising to a shout. "Do you hear Me? I don't want you to kill anybody. I'm against it, across the board. How many times do I have to say it? Don't kill each other anymore—ever! I'm f***ing serious!"

Upon completing His outburst, God fell silent, standing quietly at the podium for several moments. Then, witnesses reported, God's shoulders began to shake, and He wept.

If the fetus you save is gay...

If the fetus you save

is gay,

will you still fight

for its rights?

Get your button here...

4 out of 5 Baptist divorcees...

Get your own here...

Time For A Big Ol' Cup Of 'Shut The F*** Up'

Again, Peter @ "Life In Bush Country" shared a great article which echoes my sentiments perfectly! This phrase entered my thoughts every time Bill Sali kept warning Idahoans about Nancy Pelosi and SF liberals... "Hey, Sali, just..." -- well, you know the rest!

My favorites are...
...[H]ere now is a roll call of people who must officially shut the f*** up.

• Republican trolls who wrap up their anonymous and incomprehensible criticisms of progressives with the phrase, "and that's why your party never wins," need to shut the f*** up.
• The cowards who so easily disregard our liberties by shrugging off the president's illegal wiretapping; the cowards who shrug off the Military Commissions Act and the death of habeas corpus; and the cowards who shrug off torture with the phrases, "I'm not doing anything wrong, so I have nothing to worry about," or, "You can't [blank] if you're dead," ought to shut the f*** up.
• Anyone who still believes that global warming is a myth? Shut the f*** up.
• I think it was Bill Maher who mentioned this but it stands repeating here: neocons who have made multiple rosy predictions about Iraq need to shut the f*** up and are forthwith banned from making any more predictions.
• Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly and other homophobes who use the "San Francisco Liberal" label for Speaker-Elect Pelosi must... you know. We all understand that it's right-wing code language meaning "homo-values." If that's what you mean, just say it. That is, unless you're not man enough. [Ya hear that, Bill Sali??]
• If you still believe that Karl Rove is a genius, wizard, architect or anything short of overrated, you must shut the f*** up.

Read the full article for more!

It's a dark day in Idaho...

The Sniff Test posted exactly what I'm thinking...

"Good that the state rejected Howard Rich's land grab proposition 2. But...Oh...boy...you've really swallowed the Kool Aid on Risch's tax shift from wealthy to middle class property owners. And, getting nervous about the election, Risch has PROMISED to take the sales tax off groceries (an idea Democrats proposed a couple of legislative sessions ago...but the Rs wouldn't even discuss it.)

Listen up, Idaho media. Listen up, you brain dead voters who never pay attention until you've received 50 GOP robo-calls that get you marching off to the polls like so many lemmings. Hold him to it. Mark February 15th on your calendar. Ask yourself if Risch has made good on the promise. That should be about halfway through the 2007 legislative session. Then call his ass every day until you get sales tax relief on groceries. Let's see if Little Jim keeps his promises.

Stupid bigots dragged their knuckles to the polls long enough to pass the marriage amendment... Just remember: all those rights you voted away for gay couples also won't go to hetersexual co-habitors. The fine print on that bill spells it out clearly: there are couple rights IF you go and get hitched. No more recognition of civil unions. I'm predicting it will take a couple of decades for Idaho to get over its homophobia.

Now...in our Superintendent of Public Instruction race and our controller races, I am taking real exception to you moronic pieces of excrement passing as human beings who went to the polls today with no clear idea of the candidates' qualifications or positions on anything other than you were going to vote Republican no matter what.

The trends are looking very bad for controller candidate Jackie Groves Twilegar...a woman with a masters degree in finance... because you knuckle-dragging, troglodyte lemming voters HAD to vote R...for the woman with a GED. No corporation on earth would choose Donna Jones to manage that much money over a Jackie Groves Twilegar.

And, in your slavish devotion to the Republican Koolaid, you gave far more votes to a man to run our public schools who couldn't even get hired to teach in one because he simply doesn't have the qualifications.

Are you out of your minds? Just stupid? Come on. Admit it. You didn't bother to read or pay attention to ANYTHING about the candidates before you voted.

Proves my point: huge numbers of Idahoans are so brainwashed, they'd vote against Jesus if you put a D after his name on the ballot. Satan would scrape out a win if he had the R after his name. It's an Idaho thing. Shame on you people. I hope the half-educated kids end up taking care of you when you're in the nursing home."

{Gee, and most of those nursing homes are run by Dan Adamson... serves them right.}

Senator Larry Craig: Hypocrite?

It is too sad that our fellow citizens are more afraid of homosexuals than they are of hypocrites and liars...

Press Release: Gay activist calls on Idaho Republican Sen. Larry Craig to "be proud of who you are" {gee, I think I missed it being published in the Times-News...}

"...let the people decide on their politicians based on truth, honesty, and openness." {Includes interviews from 1982 scandal news coverage}

It's being discussed everywhere but Idaho, it seems...

"Scads of right-wing bloggers are scandalized and outraged today because it has been reported that GOP social conservative Senator Larry Craig routinely engages in anonymous sex with men. Why, they are just furious that anyone would introduce issues of someone's private sexual affairs into the public arena, and particularly can't believe that someone would try to use a person's homosexuality as a political weapon. Most movingly, they lament that exploiting private sexual behavior this way will drive good people out of political life."

Well, gee, how hypocrital can they get? For more, see what Glenn Greenwald has to say...

In addition, I highly recommend watching the response from Barney Frank (D-MA) when Bill Maher directly asked him about it. It's PRICELESS!! It's also discussed here...}

I've previously posted how I feel about hypocrisy, so this isn't meant to be an attack against Larry Craig specifically... just hypocrites in general:
Family Values? Or Homophobic?
"God's Politics: Why the right gets it wrong, and the left doesn't ...
Heterosexuals ONLY
The Perfect Wife
Politicians: PLEASE prioritize!
Bigots and Hypocrites Don't Represent ME!
Idaho Laws That We Ignore (Part 2)
The Colbert Report: Idaho Known For...
Brokeback Utah

Idaho legislators endorse teen suicide...

Actually, just the "faggot" and "dyke" teenagers. It's okay if THEY kill themselves because they are going to hell anyway.

These so-called Christians aren't going to come right out and say that... oh NO! They will NOT admit that they are homophobic! These redneck hypocrites would rather thump their Bibles (which come in handy at moments like these, but not when it's time to actually act like REAL Christians, you know, love one another, judge not lest ye be judged and all that touchy-feely crap) and talk about how God condemns homosexuality and how any type of support or compassion is only enticing these children into this deviant behavior (is there a class on "How To Be A Fag"?) when if this problem was ignored, these kids would go right on impregnating each other (cuz the Bible tells us to procreate) like the good ol' rednecks are supposed to, by God!

PLEASE go to ACTION NEEDED: for Idaho's children and IMMEDIATLY respond to the request as described under "Strategy 3"... because Strategy 1 and 2 did not work!

Liberals Like Christians has a lot of information about the this issue, if you wish to explore a Christian perspective regarding the religious right's attack against homosexuality.

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.

Heterosexuals ONLY

An UPDATE regarding what we can do to protect Idaho from reducing a segment of our population to second class citizens has been posted at 43rd State Blues.

A Blast inspired by the past
That Sticker on Your Bench
By Shea Andersen, 3-08-06

Coffee-sippers and Downtown walkers took notice quickly: As of Monday this week, Boise had a smattering of new signage. But the new labels that have popped up around the city are a lot more pointed and politically-charged than any others.

The neatly-printed signs, in fact, look familiar to anyone with a sense of civil-rights history: in clear print on white backing, they read: "heterosexuals only," and they've been slapped onto park benches and chairs, and also, notably, in several spots in the Idaho State Capitol.

The reference is clear: the signs harken back to the days when "colored people" had their own drinking fountains and bathrooms. The new context is the recent vote by the Idaho Legislature to bring to voters a proposed constitutional amendment on gay marriage.

The Idaho Statesman caught the stickers, and ran their story on it.

You can read a longer interview with the anonymous sticker-makers at the Boise Weekly.

Last I heard, some of the stickers were getting peeled off by business owners. But don't be surprised if more crop up.

Previous posts at "We Have Failed Our Duties..." :
Politicians: PLEASE prioritize!
Family Values or Homophobic?
Bigots and Hypocrites Don't Represent ME!
Idaho Laws That We Ignore (Part 2)
The Colbert Report: Idaho Known For...
Brokeback Utah
The Perfect Wife

In addition, I also am questioning the ethics and sincerity of our legislators as now they conveniently claim to have a desire to honor the wishes of Idaho citizens.

Where were they four years ago?

Oh, yes... they were OVERRIDING the decisions of Idaho citizens!*

If Idaho citizens vote against the ban, will they over-ride it again?
NOT IF WE VOTE THEM OUT OF OFFICE THIS NOVEMBER!

*I included a list of legislators who repealed the term-limits initiative in 2002 who are STILL in office in 2006.

Brokeback Utah

The Perfect Wife

From MREater dated January 30, 2005:

I was reading the Idaho Statesman, where columnist Dan Popkey was writing about an effort in Idaho to enact an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment. Popkey wrote that Jeff Esters, Pastor at Fellowship Babtist Church, said that failure to approve the amendment could lead to men marrying dogs, or television sets. Now there's a leader who thinks outside the box.

The idea of marrying a dog is pretty far-fetched. After all, a dog is already man's best friend, so what would be the point. Plus, the thought of a dog wearing lipstick gives me the willies.

Now, marrying a TV is a different thing altogether. Imagine. The TV is never too tired to turn on. The TV never asks you to carry out the garbage, or nags you to fix the dripping faucet. If the channel you're watching is boring or depressing you can change it. You are in control of it's moods, not hormones. And, of course, the best part; the mute button on the remote control.

Jeez, what a slippery slope. We fail to pass an anti-gay marriage constitutional amendment, and soon guys are marrying TVs. What's next, guys marrying 12-packs of beer? You know what would happen then. The guy would get down to his last beer and say "Honey, I'm leaving you. I've found another 12-pack, one with a full set of cans."

Still, Pastor Esters might be on to something. What I'm confused about is, if he thinks that defeating the amendment will lead to men marrying TV's, why is he against it? He must not have a TV.

The Colbert Report: Idaho known for...

Steven Colbert of The Colbert Report was not impressed with the idea that Idaho is considering the removal of "potato" from our license plates. His argument was that Americans connect Idaho with potatoes and if we remove potatoes... then all that is left to connect with Idaho is...

...Aryan Nations.

Gee, if the same-sex marriage ban is passed, Idaho can be known for being homophobic as well as racist.

Idahoans should be proud.

#3 on the "Threat Down" list at the The Colbert Report

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."

Flip Flop?

Senator Brent Hill replied to the letter I sent the Senate. He stated that

"... I am committed to let the people of Idaho make a decision as important as this one."

At first I thought, "How nice, he CARES what Idahoans want..." but then something in the back of my mind kept knock, knock, knocking...

Didn't Idahoans vote for term limits in 1994 and in 1998? Didn't our legislators fight against it? Didn't they repeal OUR vote in 2002? Hmmm... was Senator Hill (who wants Idahoans to make our own decisions for what we want in Idaho) one of those legislators who did NOT support what Idahoans wanted in Idaho back then (when we wanted something that wasn't in his own interest)? Gee...! He WAS!! I guess its been a long three years and he's forgotten? Or thought we had forgotten?

Here is a basic summary of how Idaho legislators respect the opinion of the people (or "See How Our Legislators Abuse Their Power"):
{I'm open to corrections if any of this is incorrect!}

In 1994, Idaho voters instituted term limits through a voter referendum. The measure passed with 59% of the vote.

Stunned, lawmakers put the measure on the ballot again in 1998. Despite a brutal campaign of political rhetoric and lies, the Idaho voters reaffirmed the measure with 54% of the vote, in favor of term limits.

Not to be dissuaded, lawmakers sued to overturn the term limits in 1999, on the grounds that term limits unconstitutionally denied voters the right to suffrage. The Legislature won their lawsuit, and term limits were struck down.

The decision was appealed to the Idaho Supreme Court, which ruled that the term limits law was indeed constitutional, and term limits were upheld.

Just days after the Idaho Supreme Court affirmed the term limits referendum, the Legislature drafted a bill to override the term limits.

Naturally it passed, and term limits were repealed.

Enter the Governor. The Governor sided with the will of the people, and vetoed the legislation. Term limits were upheld.

Within 36 hours, the Legislature overrode the Governor's veto. Term limits were repealed.

Down but not out, the citizens of Idaho have put a referendum on the 2002 ballot to restore term limits AGAIN.

However adding insult to the Idaho voters, the legislature used taxpayer
dollars to fund a misinformation campaign, and thanks to confusing wording on the ballot referendum (a "no" vote meant "yes"), term limits were defeated at the ballot box.

IMPORTANT NOTE:
My own District #25 Senator Stennett and Representative Jaquet RESPECTED THE VOICE OF THE PEOPLE and voted "NAY"!! REMEMBER THIS if the majority of the Idaho legislature decides to actually respond to the will of the people regarding term limits... because we can still WRITE IN!!!

You need to know who the current Representatives and Senators are who NOW declare that "YES!"-- they believe Idaho citizens should decide for themselves regarding same-sex marriages-- but OVERTURNED our previous demand for TERM LIMITS previously...

HOUSE Representatives who repealed the vote of Idahoans:
Barraclough, Barrett, Bedke, Bell, Black, Block, Bradford, Clark, Collins, Crow, Deal, Denney, Eskridge, Field(13), Field(20), McKague, Moyle, Raybould, Schaefer, Shepherd (8), Stevenson, Trail, Wood, Mr. Speaker
{Contact info HERE. Contact your Representative and see if they can explain this inconsistency. Of course, those of us in District #25 can just send our thanks to Representative Jaquet for respecting the will of the people!!}

SENATORS who repealed the vote of Idahoans:
Andreason, Brandt, Bunderson, Burtenshaw, Cameron, Darrington, Davis, Geddes, Goedde, Hill, Keough, Lodge, Richardson, Schroeder, Stegner, Williams
{Contact info HERE. Contact your Senator and see if they can explain this inconsistency. Of course, those of us in District #25 can just send our thanks to Senator Stennett for respecting the will of the people!!}

Does anybody want to take a WILD guess as to how many Democrats are on this list?????? HA HA HA HA HA HA HA!!!

{See House Bill #25 here.)

More about how our State Legislature respects the will of the people...

From US Term Limits

"Idaho voters passed term limits on their legislature, statewide officeholders and local officeholders in 1994 by 59% of the vote. In 1998, the legislature placed an "advisory" question on the ballot, asking voters to reaffirm their support of term limits. Voters did so. In 2001, state and local office holders sued Idaho voters in a case that made its way to the Idaho Supreme Court, where the court ruled term limits constitutional. In February 2002, the Idaho Legislature ignored the vote of the people and became the first state in the nation to repeal their term limits law." (Emphasis mine.)

From National Conference of State Legislatures

"Idaho made history today, becoming the first state to repeal term limits. The governor vetoed the bill, but the Legislature overrode the veto on a vote of 26-8 in the Senate and 50-20 in the House. Idaho lawmakers said they felt that term limits proponents had been dishonest in their campaign to impose term limits, and that voters didn't get fair information about the real consequences of term limits."

(Can we use this excuse to repeal an initiative for a ban on same sex marriage? I don't think it's fair to pretend that Idaho chooses this ban to support "family values"... that is DISHONEST. It's bigotry and homophobia in its simplest form.)

Top Ten Lousiest Excuses Used by Idaho Legislature to Overrule the Will of the PEOPLE
Here are the top two... check out the full article for the rest... it's funny!

#2 The 1994 Idaho Term Limits Initiative media campaign was bought with money coming from outside the state of Idaho.

FACT: So are most of our legislators. Sounds as if you are suggesting the people can be bought, but elected officials can't.

#1 The legislature is on an equal footing with the people and has the power to override a citizen initiative.

FACT: In Luker v. Idaho, (1943), the Idaho Supreme Court held that the legislature and the people are on equal footing. The legislature has the power to override an initiative because of this. It is pointed out in this court case, and many others, that there are legitimate reasons why the legislature has this power. Citizen initiatives may be constitutionally unsound or statutorily or fiscally impossible. However, the 1994 Term Limits initiative has been found to be sound, both constitutionally, and statutorily. Although the legislature has the POWER to repeal an initiative without legitimate reason, they do NOT have the moral authority. To do so is an ABUSE of power.

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"

Politicians, please PRIORITIZE!

The State of Idaho is one of many who keep trying to make it illegal for same-sex marriage. My friend Julie at Red State Rebels provided an update about current activities at the state level as well as an address to send letters. This is just MY opinion but I wanted to share. It is important that we protect the freedoms for ALL, because some day "them" may be "us".

If you wish to send your own letter, go to Red State Rebels and see what the "latest" info is, or just e-mail the committee (AND your own reps).

To: HSTA@house.idaho.gov
Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 10:08 AM
Subject: Marriage definitions etc.
To Whom It May Concern:

I would really like to know why our government officials are spending so much time, energy, and money on attempting to prevent marriages between gays and lesbians.

Is this REALLY a threat to our morals and sensibilities? Is this the BIGGEST threat to Idaho families and children? To have two adults allowed to officially declare their commitment to each other?

If this is a religious issue (you know, because you think God won't approve or the Bible says "no" or something), then leave it up to the churches to make their own decisions. That is not the business of our government--let churches reinforce God's instructions. Or are you planning on following through on many of the other biblical instructions as well? Because I know quite a few people who have committed adultery, if you want to start throwing them in jail or something.

If this is not a religious issue, then what is it? It cannot be because you truly believe that Idahoans cannot handle the concept of two men or two women being married to each other, could it? We seem to be able to handle "dial 1-800 to flirt" commercials, sexual and pornographic magazines, etc. Please, if you really want to protect Idahoans from "filth", eliminate all of the sexual entertainment/advertisements/etc. which advertise and sell sex without love or commitment before you start attacking adult Idahoans who wish to declare their love and commitment to each other. I find it much more offensive to have "Girls Gone Wild" commercials thrust at me in my home than I would if the two men living next door to me were married.

Actually, I would prefer more adults start celebrating and valuing love and commitment. I think that it would be awesome if Idaho could stand up and say "As Idahoans, we celebrate individuals who honor their commitments and promises." It seems that society is so full of people who steal, cheat, lie, and take advantage of their positions, that it is asinine that our government would spend so much time and energy to prevent a segment of our population making their own commitments to another human being.

Speaking of love and commitment... two same sex adult partners getting married is not a threat to our family lifestyles in Idaho. It's the unbelievable amount of single parents usually women) in Idaho. It's the noncustodial parents who are not paying their child support. It is the struggle to jump through the hoops for what assistance IS available for our working poor and then to find out that your income is $48 over the limit and you aren't qualified after all. It is the poor families who have to live in substandard housing because Idaho does not enforce its own State Codes. We may have low unemployment rates here in Idaho but that says more about the qualities of hardworking Idahoans than it does about the quality of jobs available. People are working for low wages, no benefits, more than one part time job, and they still can't make ends meet. How can same-sex marriage be more offensive than the knowledge that CEO annual incomes have gone up 1000% in the past 20 years? If minimum wage increased at the same rate as CEO incomes, it would be $23/hour! Now THAT should be something to spend your attention on!!!

So why are you spending so much time about this marriage thing? As public servants for the people of Idaho, are you really acting in the best interest of the citizens? Do you not have other areas of concern that could benefit from your time and energy and our money? Please focus our resources on solving problems like teacher's pay, senior citizens in poverty, the war on drugs, health care, employers who pay living wages, water issues, handling the state's population increase in the schools/roads/etc..

When you have all that taken care of and you have extra time and energy, then you can go back to trying to prevent gays and lesbians from legally and officially making lifelong commitments together, if you still really think that is important. Personally, I think that people are just having knee-jerk reactions to loud vocal Christian Conservative agendas.


P.S. If you REALLY want to govern in a Christian manner (again, I'm assuming that the bias against same-sex marriage is based on religious aspects), may I recommend the guidelines from the National Council of Churches (USA)?

Dirty little secret?

There is a column by Maureen Dowd in today's Times-News which included something that surprised me... I thought for sure that she had to be making it up!!

So I did some Google research (they are coming to take me away, ha ha!) and actually found documentation that proved that Ms. Dowd wasn't "telling stories"... it's TRUE! It's even listed in her bio at Wikipedia!

Lynne Cheney's Lesbian Sex Novel
If you look around hard enough on the Web you find some humorous stuff. Everyone knows that our Vice President, Dick Cheney, has a lesbian daughter, Mary, about whom he rarely speaks openly even though the poor girl has to work for his re-election committee. But did you know that Dick’s wife Lynne, wrote a sizzling western novel called “Sisters” which is filled with hot, steamy stuff like lesbian love, prostitution and rape, and supports a sweeping pro-feminist agenda?

“Sisters” was penned in 1981. It’s hard to find a copy today, but Amazon says they will give it a shot for you if you want a copy. [Download your FREE copy HERE.] Like most of the indiscretions of the Bush administration that they don’t want you to know about, “Sisters” will be kept from public scrutiny wherever possible.

P.S. From the excerpts I've scanned and from reading the "reviews" of others, it's probably being kept secret because it is poorly written!