Hate crimes measure dumped from defense reauthorization bill

Saddened

I'm so very sad right now.  very, very sad. :'(

Besser ein ende mit Schrecken als ein Schrecken ohne ende

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by: becca @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 12:22:42 PM CST

They don't have hate crimes votes

but they think they DO have the votes for an Iraq withdrawal timetable?  Ummm ... sure.

The Dems apparently are very well aware of the fact that there will be another bus along shortly ... to throw us under.

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by: Jami @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 12:36:30 PM CST

The ripple effect of the HRC and Congress waffling

   And it may seem like doom for a while. We have nothing left to do, but rear our pretty heads and lift of beautiful spirits and support equality for all, (as women always do), very loudly, to the corners of the nation, specifically those discriminated against for not being feminine enough or masculine enough, "tom boys", dykes and "sissie queers" as the haters call us, in the work place yes, but more so in our schools, making for a peaceful and pleasant education experience for all and change societal perceptions of gender, creating a sense of acceptence and the air of normalcy for all who enter pre-school, kindergarten and elementary schools.

My time is short, but I hope I can bring more knowledge and understanding to the world so that these little ones do not suffer the trials and scorn I had to endure as a child.

I can't stop ! Lets be vocal in our own right, continueing to fight for justice for all, the true root of the ENDA bill, gender identity and perceptions. We must stop the bullying of peoples because of gender perceptions, what ENDA was framed to accomplish, and I know we all will.

I'd rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for my entire life.

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by: PhyllisMs @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 12:49:08 PM CST

Sheesh.

Yet another reason I sometimes wonder if we shouldn't just make a mass migration to 'Queertopia.' Given Barney's betrayal, can we claim "taxation without representation?"

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by: gayjaybird @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 13:46:16 PM CST

If you build it, we will come

At least I will. I would strongly endorse the establishment of a nation that doesn't hate people due to sexual orientation. I would move there in a second from this religiously obsessesed redneck backwater nation of ignorant bible thumpers.

"The right most treasured by civilized men is the right to be let alone."--Justice Louis Brandeis

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by: Sadness @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 14:07:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yep. Didn't see that coming!

We GLBT  folks HAVE to vote Democratic, as the Democrats are the party that is going to take care of us.  Someday.  Down the road.  When the country is ready. Eventually.  

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by: Paul In SF @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 14:37:22 PM CST

Jesus H. Christ

We went ahead and booted the "T"s.  What do you people in Washington want, anyway? We were promised that was all it would take!!!

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by: Paul In SF @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 14:41:29 PM CST

What they want:

Well, Paul;

We could probably get the bills through if we booted the gay men. Those are the ones that the fundies are focusing on now.

 And after that we Lesbians might get a a few rights, or maybe not.

 We need to all stick together. The Enda phantasm broke this community apart and from here on in it has to be everything and everyone or nothing.

We want equality, we desrve FULL equality and will settle for nothing less. And we need to support only those who agree with us on this, not those who will offer only crumbs from the table of human rights.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 15:23:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Seconded

Yep... all or nothing... so right.

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 15:37:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

that side also screamed

that it could be attached to any bill and passed. If this happens on the hate-crime bill ENDA has no chance. We told you so doesn't discribe how bad of a move it was and how much it hurt our community. Transgender people tried to warn others, but we were told we didn't have that right. Of course the same thing will happen next time to with the same group of people. They never learn from history.

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by: AHiddenSaint @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 16:54:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Incrementalism...

 

   Didn't have the right...

   We're also being told that we don't know what we are talking about, and that we should believe them, trust them and follow them on this...even when it has been shown by history that going back later for those left behind hasn't worked.

   They never learn from history...

I'd rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for my entire life.

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by: PhyllisMs @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 18:03:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

what is funny is now they complain about the dems

It is sad how we were treated and our warnings gone ignored. Now it is ok for them to attack the Dems when we were told it just wasn't the votes there. What happen to that line in their case so what gives them the right to complain and be selfish about the dems when they told us the votes weren't there and we should be happy it is baby steps?  

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by: AHiddenSaint @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 18:50:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Why shouldn't they?

Dems have seen that we won't stand up for ourselves and our community.

When the "leadership" provided by our major lobbying group involves breaking commitments it's already made, backtracking on principles that had already been established by the community, conspiring with Dems to steal our money for the sole purpose of perpetuating their political existence, cowering in fear based on what's sold to us all by know-nothing media windbags as "what's realistic", and then allowing the bottom to drop out of even that pathetic goal with all the resistance of a wet noodle--this is the natural result.

It a good and admirable thing that LGBT people as a whole DON'T want to make trouble, but instead want to live life in peace, getting along with our neighbors.  But that's not the kind of attitude that makes change, unfortunately.

...

I'm in a bad mood today.  Something constructive?  Read up online about the odious and horrible anti-gay, anti-choice Dan Lipinski, and then consider donating to Mark Pera's primary challenge.  That's all I've got at the moment.

"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" -- Iowa state motto

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by: Sportin' Life @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 14:49:47 PM CST

Well behaved women never make history

It has been said that "Well behaved women never make history." Well, we behaved. We followed our congressionally appointed leader Barney Frank and his chosen people, HRC. We were to accept incrementalism, learn it's value, and behave.

 The problem is that the Demovratic party learned the lesson of incrementalism vis a vis its' political power as well. It used incrementalism to decide it was better to get its' military spending bill through without the Hate Crimes Act.

 Now we see it as immoral. Before, we were content to see it as political good sense.

 It was never political good sense, ENDA and the Hate Crimes Bill are both dead, as some LGBT activists have been predicting for weeks.

Only one democratic candidate for president supports our positions, and I am supporting him. If enough of us do, whether or not he wins, we change the dynamics of democratic politics since we are likely about 20% of the base. No one should have our support unless he or she supports complete equality, the real equality of an America citizen, for all of our community.

No mpore incrementalism. If it takes taking to the streets again in protest, not parading, then so be it. We need to be through behaving and waiting and begging. It hasn't worked. It is time for angry radicalism again. We deserve to be angry.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 18:51:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I agree completely....

Yes we do deserve to be angry and kick everybody out of our way who stands in our way and rely upon the constitution.

I'd rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for my entire life.

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by: PhyllisMs @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 20:15:33 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Steriiike Two!!!

First ENDA. Transgendered rights and everything of value was stripped from the Democrat version of ENDA and then the bones were picked clean by Republican amendments.

The Democrat version of ENDA won't fly in the courts. Frank, Pelosi and most Democrats and Republicans abandoned everyone in the LGBT equation to the tender mercies of bosses and managers who vitrually mint money underpaying us and discriminating against us in hiring and firing.

It's true that Franks obvious contempt for transgendered people emboldened a few bigots in our ranks but the fight was never between GLB'S and T's; it's always been a fight between all of us and the Democrats and Republicans. We lost ENDA and now the hate crimes bill, both of which are desperately need now. Will the failure to repeal Bill Clintons DADT be strike three?

In response to this latest treachery we should form campaign committees to demand their passage, and in the case of ENDA the passage of the original, workable form. Our people are getting fired and underpaid everyday. We get harassed and abused every day and each year 20 or more of us are lynched and thousands beaten. www dot ncavp dot org. Those figures are obviously not a problem for the rightwing fat cats in Congress so it's up to us to make it a problem for them.

Today the Harvard Institue of Politics released a new poll (don't worry, it's legit, HRC had nothing to do with it) which said that only 30% or youth think the two major parties are doing an adequate job and that 37% think a thrid party is needed.

With Democrats like these who needs Republicans?

donal1944@msn.com

The looter rich much prefer working with Democrats like Obama and the Clintons - they're greedier, they fool more people and they're able to get away with a lot more than Republicans.  

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by: donal1944 @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 15:09:45 PM CST

more pithy... pithier...whatever

Change totalitarian christian to the WONDERFUL new 

.........CHRISTOFASCIST... love that one.

And you are right on. 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 15:34:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Not new

The term "Christofascist" is not new. It's been around for quite a while now. But it is a perfectly descriptive term for those who seek to impose their particular mythology upon society at large.  

"The right most treasured by civilized men is the right to be let alone."--Justice Louis Brandeis

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by: Sadness @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 18:47:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

in the case of ENDA the passage of the original

  I agree with this, we need the original, with "perceptions" included, along with gender identity.

I'd rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for my entire life.

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by: PhyllisMs @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 18:08:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

the 'rethinking"

We need more than the original ENDA. Beyond the purely trans issues, the community as a whole needs to demand, and demand loudly equal iright, and by that I mean complete equality with straights and demand it now. We must never again settle for less.

We are American Citizens who lack some of the fundamental constitutional rights citizenship recognizes. When we support candidates who do not support our absulute equality, when we compromise away some of our rights or some of our community, we place ourselves in the place of Oliver Twist before a congressional Mr Bumble meekly asking "Please Sir, I want more."

We have begged for the half eaten scraps of the feast of civil rights for long enough. We have sycophantly supported oppressors who tossed us the occasional bone and humiliated ourselves and those most fragile amongst us far too many times.

We must agree, from this day forth, to ONLY support those candidates who support our complete equality. We may be as much as 20% of the democratic base. If we deny those who offer us permament second class status our political support and reward those who proclaim their belief in our human rights and dignity, we will cahnge forever the nature of democratic party politics.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 20:32:22 PM CST

I have been thinking,

  Yes, a third party.  As a registered Democrat, I will vote for Dennis Kucinich.  Knowing that he most likely will not win the Democratic nomination, I will still vote for him.

 But come the general election, I can not, and will not vote for Hillary or Obama.  As well as I can not and will not vote for a candidate in local and state elections that does not support LGBT equality.

If I make sense? it was quite by accident.

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by: HappyCat @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 21:13:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I understand and share your frustration, HC....

but come election day, if you do not vote for the Democratic candidate, whoever it may be, you help to jeopordize several new supreme court justice nominations. It's that simple.

Ask yourself this question: Who would you rather have the opportunity to nominate the replacement for the next justice--Hillary Clinton.....or Mitt Romney?

Who would rather have that power-- Mike Huckabee, or Barack Obama?

Pick again--John Edwards........or Fred Thompson?

Bill Richardson.......or Rudy Gulliani?

See my point? 

I KNOW we are not going to get the perfect GLBT friendly candidate. Not going to happen. We all must understand this by now. But do you REALLY want to forfiet the right to influence the replacements to any justices who vacate their positions during the next term? I hope you don't.

Where do you think we are going to make advancements in the fight for GLBT civil rights over the next decade or two? Without the supreme court, we're screwed. I urge you, and anyone else reading this to honestly think about it. It's true that the democrats are not all we wish they would be. But just LOOK at who gets to pick the next supreme court. All of a sudden, Hillary and Obama, even with their flaws, look REALLY good when compared to the clown car boys.

I'm asking people to set aside altruism and real zeal for our cause, just long enough to realize what is at stake when you say, "I won't vote for so-and-so".

I'll vote for Mickey Mouse if he is the democratic candidate, because I sure as hell don't want Romney of Huckabee choosing our next defender of the constitution. There is a time and place for "I'll go to the wal for my view". Election day is not that time.

Right now, John Roberts and Samuel Alito sit ont he supreme court because a Republican IDIOT held the presidency when those spots were vacated. And no matter how disappointing Al Gore and John Kerry may have been on specific LGBT issues, if they had held the presidency, I can flat guarantee you there would be someone more sympathetic to our causes than these two far right homophobes.

Just asking everyone to think about it. Politics isn't pretty. But there are clear choices to be made, and there are reasons why they actually DO matter.....and this is one of the biggest ones. 

 

 

"The right most treasured by civilized men is the right to be let alone."--Justice Louis Brandeis

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by: Sadness @ Thu Dec 06, 2007 at 23:36:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Well, from this I can only "wish"

   that the HRC, and particularly "Joe Solmonese", can "see" and realize what good it did for them to "kneel down" and "kiss some ass", the whole of Congress! I learned a long time ago, "ass kissers don't get no respect", but "they who stand up for what they believe in, do". I hope HRC and Joe feel more than just a tinge of the knife blade in the back that we felt with their desertion of gender identity and perceptions, but a flood of stupidity and shame flowing in your veins. We all have gender identity in varying degress and it affects everyone, (to exhibit divergence in structural or physiological characters from the typical form). No one is the epitome of masculinity or feminintiy and it's high time supervisors at work can no longer make these selfish judgments about people and terminate their employment. How the whole of Congress can't understand this makes me wonder of their understanding between their ears.  

   How do you convince others to believe in you and your plan when you "demonstrate" to the others you do not believe in it yourself? And that's what HRC, specifically, you Joe Solmonese, did exactly. No wonder Congress dumped the entire wagon.  Absurd ! Thats the backbone of a jellyfish ! I've seen their hanywork before, and you never get what they promise to do. They all do the same thing when up against a wall, they'll waffle on comittment and desert you to look after only themselves.

   It's very hard to make someone who views theirself as a "great leader" to realize their plan isn't a good one, until more than half the platoon is either KIA or WIA and a few are MIA. That's when it really hurts the most, to great depths of mental anguise heartbreak, when everyone else could see it coming but "it" and wouldn't listen to anyone because there's too much space between their ears, mainly from the swelling of their head. This applies to you too Frank, but, you are a politician. Joe, on the other hand, said he was our "leader" and would stand up for us "all".

I'd rather be a lion for one day, than a sheep for my entire life.

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by: PhyllisMs @ Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 05:10:26 AM CST

I hope the HRC is proud of itself

after decades of sucking up our money to pay Joe Solomonese to be the most ineffectual patsy lobbying group in history.

 

If there is one thing we could do to change things, it would be to stop supporting HRC and let another group be the one which the mass media considers "representative" of GLBT citizens.

They have had a monopoly and have blown it for a decade. 

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by: tiponeill @ Fri Dec 07, 2007 at 09:24:04 AM CST