My Email to President Obama

I have a comment and a response is requested. During the Presidential campaign, you stated you would work for equal legal rights for same-sex partners that married couples currently enjoy. You said you would stop Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I see no evidence of any action on either of these issues. There was no comment on California's court decision taking away the civil right of a minority of the population by a vote in a popular election. GLBT constituents are feeling let down and left out of this administration. I realize there are other issues facing the country that are a higher priority, but this administration has shown it can multi-task. We need some acknowledgment that these issues are important also. While we wait for some action, hundreds of qualified soldiers continue to be removed from our armed services simply because of their sexual orientation. The President has the power to stop these removals with a stroke of the pen. We want some leadership on these important issues.

When I pressed send, the page said it was unavailable at this time. Try again later. I will.

One Sane Voice on California High Court

These are the six California Supreme Court Justices that voted to uphold Proposition 8 that took away a civil right by banning same-sex marriage based on a popular vote.

There was one voice of reason among the seven: California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno, was the only judge dissenting in today's 6-1 decision. His dissenting opinion was this:

In my view, the aim of Proposition 8 and all similar initiative measures that seek to alter the California Constitution to deny a fundamental right to a group that has historically been subject to discrimination on the basis of a suspect classification, violates the essence of the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and fundamentally alters its scope and meaning. Such a change cannot be accomplished through the initiative process by a simple amendment to our Constitution enacted by a bare majority of the voters; it must be accomplished, if at all, by a constitutional revision to modify the equal protection clause to protect some, rather than all, similarly situated persons. I would therefore hold that Proposition 8 is not a lawful amendment of the California Constitution.

Write to Justice Moreno and thank him for efforts. Also feel free to write the other six and let them know what you think of their judgement. I could only find a snail mail address, which is:

Supreme Court of California
350 McAllister Street
San Francisco, CA 94102-4797

The California Supreme Court Upholds Hate

It breaks my heart. California's Supreme Court upheld Prop 8 banning marriage between same-sex couples. I just do not understand how the court can justify people voting away the civil rights of a group of people. It is frustrating that with every step forward, there seems to be another step backward. I just have to keep reminding myself that things are getting better. Write to President Obama and your Senate and Congressional representatives and demand equal rights for same-sex couples. Tell them to push forward on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." Demand your rights! Give money to support our cause. Do something today.

More of the Mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind

These are more shots from my iPhone of the mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind.  It was on display at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center at Dulles International Airport (such a catchy name), part of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum.  There was some interest in my earlier posting of this item.  Sorry the quality isn't any better, but the ship is inside a very reflective case, making it difficult to take pictures, and the iPhone camera isn't exactly high-resolution.  

The top photo with Shane pointing gives some perspective as to the ship's size.  Shane would not be happy if he knew I posted that photo of him though.  He is very particular about photo approval.  It isn't exactly flattering.  Luckily, he doesn't read this blog and will never know.  

You might notice a small CP3O (from Star Wars) located on the edge of the ship in the middle photo.  There is a list of all sorts of items to find, such as mailboxes and other items I don't remember.  The third shot loses much of its sci-fi effect by having a bathroom-like tile wall in the background. 

Walt from the blog, WCS, posted a funny comment on the earlier posting about having a strange urge to make a mountain out of his mashed potatoes.  Enjoy the French Open Walt!