• 1,003 replies
    marye
    Joined:
    When our previous topic hit the 1,000-response mark, sleazy behavior by politicians was eliciting a certain amount of non-astonishment.

Comments

sort by
Recent
Reset
  • marye
    Joined:
    well, um, Hal...
    Barlow is LDS. Not practicing, obviously, but comes from a long line of Mormons. In answer to the question, the Mormon Church and also (to my shame, because I'm Catholic like Barlow is Mormon...) the Catholic Church kicked in a lot of money. But it is also the case that the Bay Area is a relative island, even in California, and there is plenty of religious fundamentalism and just plain bigotry to go around throughout the state. And yeah, there was a lot of stirring up of hate among Latinos and among the black churches as well. Indeed, it was much speculated that the very people who turned out to elect Obama also turned out to pass Prop 8, at least where the black churches were concerned. So it's complicated. But it's also just plain wrong and I'm grateful to Judge Walker for his good sense. My own view is that the state should get out of the marriage business and only do civil unions, being that civil marriage is fundamentally about property and responsibility for children, and let religious, cultural, etc. bodies declare whoever they want in their communions married. And yeah, this includes the fundie Mormons if they stick to consenting adults.
  • tphokie1
    Joined:
    Way to go Judge Walker!
    I know this fight is not over. This will be appealed but its still a step in the right direction. Everyone should be free to love whomever they choose and have that acknowledged by society!
  • Hal R
    Joined:
    I won't blast Mormons here
    but the fact is that LDS was a major if not the major player behind Prop. 8. By the way I've met all sorts of Deadheads of various and no faiths but has anyone ever met an LDS head? If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • Anonymous (not verified)
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    Straight From Vermont
    is a bumpersticker seen on old, beat-up pick-up trucks around these parts. It seems that the rather sexually insecure have to make their intemtion in the sexual area perfectly clear because Vermont was first in the nation to allow civil unions and of the last couple of years gay marriage. It hasn't spoiled the place. How is it in the land of LA and SF that there is this conservative backlash? Is it hispanic machismo/Catholicism? It can't be the Oakies, there aren't enough pure bread of'em left. What gives Mary? Who is behind Prop 8 in Cali?
  • marye
    Joined:
    In other news...
    Judge Vaughn Walker, who I have always considered a sensible man and a credit to the bench, overturned California's Prop 8 with nasty words on the side: "Proposition 8 'fails to advance any rational basis in singling out gay men and lesbians for denial of a marriage license. Indeed, the evidence shows Proposition 8 does nothing more than enshrine in the California Constitution the notion that opposite-sex couples are superior to same-sex couples. … Because Proposition 8 prevents California from fulfilling its constitutional obligation to provide marriages on an equal basis, the court concludes that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional.'" God bless Judge Walker and get him appointed to the Supremes.
  • TigerLilly
    Joined:
    Hey Hal!
    Indeed!********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
  • Hal R
    Joined:
    Iraq lie
    TL, many folks here did not believe the Bush lies, there were massive protests throughout the country. As well as the world. Please never forget the mass movement which many of us were involved in. If the doors of perception were cleansed, everything would appear to man as it is, infinite. William Blake
  • Anonymous (not verified)
    Default Avatar
    Joined:
    To be fair...
    ...There is an anti-war movement out there. I didn't mean to diminish the efforts of many, many patriotic Americans who do what they can to oppose this madness. And I am told that opposition to America's jihad is quite intense in parts of Europe. I was only trying to point out 2 things: There is a cost to war The face of protest is quite different these days I like what the leader of Wikki Leaks had to say (Simon, I think) "It's a damn war" Indeed a damn war. A low intensity conflict in which there are no major battles, simply groups of armed warriors sneaking up on one another. On the NATO side, if the conflict is extended at all, air power is called in that usually results in a lot of casualties with collateral damage. When we realize that this is not helping our cause among the natives, we strive (per McChrystal's suggestion), to change the rules of engagement so that we are able to make real progress, only to have push-back from our own forces, whom we come to find out don't give a damn about civilians or the Taliban, only wanting to leave the theater of operations in one piece. I don't fault them for that one bit, however it does point out big-time the slippery slope we are falling down. In the meantime, these mountains of desolate waste are host to wandering bands of reconnoitering commandos able to call down reaper and predator drone-fired missiles on whatever targets of opportunity they stumble upon. Americans need to see that we could have pursued this as a police action instead of a military conflict. We had the sympathy of the world and could have made these radical extremists the bad guys, even to their own people. Instead, a decision at the highest levels was made to pursue a war. This war is being fought because our "Way Of Life" is under attack. This is really the heart of the matter... In an increasingly globalized economy of post-peak oil the US cannot afford to allow the Muslim oil countries the natural economic advantage that would be theirs as oil becomes more scarce, thus entitling to ever-greater reserves of hard currency. Therefore we need to step in and try to divide the Muslims. In reality, this war is about economics and the ever-shrinking pie we all split. Other countries tend to resent it when you are 3% of the world's population and you are consuming 60% of the world's resources. I could march on with this rant but I'll stop here as I do believe what I've just stated is the heart of it. ~ I'm going off to war To fight on some foreign shore ~
  • JackstrawfromC…
    Joined:
    Lies
    True Americans did fall for the lie. When the towers hit the ground and everyone was freaking out it was really easy to believe the hype "terrorists have WOMD, they live in Iraq and they are coming to kill us", in the midst of the frenzy and fear we had to believe it. But it became clear rather quickly when the focus was on Hussein and not Bin Laden that our doofus president had a different agenda. "The dire wolf collects his due while the boys sing round the fire"
  • TigerLilly
    Joined:
    Iraq lie
    But Americans believed that lie for quite a while! Propaganda and hype were high. For example some collegues and I were aggressed on the streets of NYC for daring to speaking French (because Chirac said "hell no we won't go to Iraq" and anti-French sentiment was rampant). I seems that it took until folks started to die, for the brainwashing hype to lose effect. Sat over here and watched the War in Iraq unfold right there on CNN-like Wag the Dog, and yeah well had a rough time with my homeland back then! ********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

17 years 1 month
Forums
When our previous topic hit the 1,000-response mark, sleazy behavior by politicians was eliciting a certain amount of non-astonishment.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

to learn that the original hot stepper Gregory issacs passed away yesterday....... may the four winds blow you safely home.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Last year it was Kodachrome, this year the Walkman. Next thing you know, they'll stop making rotary telephones.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Paul the soccer-predicting octopus has died. R.I.P. Paul!********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

paul gone, our chatroom gone, gonzo gone....i'm outa cookies, and the news item ripple posted is not available.......arrg!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

Thanx, marye....when I typed in the info from ripple I got a notice saying "this domain no longer served".
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

paul the pshycic octopus,and i also miss gonzos pearls of wisdom about those cookies jm ill bake some for you and meet you in the chatroom real soon brother!!!!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

cookies......!!
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

Game 1 of the World Series: Giants are all over Cliff Lee and the Rangers in the 6th.....Juan's deep drive openned it up.. 8 to 2 right now. Lincecum heating up looking good.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

reference at all too this topic i just feel comfortable in here,just wanted to wish you all peace,love and happiness have a grate weekend boys and girls. best wishes Ripple70.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

The cartoon hits the nail on the head with the emergence of the Palinistas and their divisive ideas and statements. I need to go put on my Youngbloods album and sing along w Jesse.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

Renteria with the dagger again! Giants are up in game 5 after another Renteria hit, this time a big 3 run dinger: He sunk the Tribe in 1997 with a hit in game 7. Ironically, in 1954, the Giants beat the Tribe for their last Series win.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Would not want anyone else to win if it cant be a Tiger.!! :):):):) Yahooo for the City Blessings to the Players and wife's and all the people that make it happen (the grunts) Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture

Member for

15 years 6 months
Permalink

Must be a party in SF! "It's got no signs or dividing line and very few rules to guide"
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! GuaranteedI believe you might like them. Most do.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

ok i lie i never have one question but will try to limit my self. Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed Not like its bad . But will have to perform a forced quit hate making my Mac do what it does not want to.:):)
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

jm,lily,dave,mean al,gc,ted,jackstraw wheres all the news hounds at this whole place is full of strangerswhere they marye.
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

... just to shake their hand! Thanks, Ripple, for triggering a lyric from one of my favorite Hunter songs. Prop 19 went down in defeat out on the left coast last night. Meanwhile, in Kansas, the state selected all the Republican candidates......arrgh! US House of Reps also swung over to a Republican majority, putting Ohio's John Boehner in the Speaker position. Pres. Obama and his platform of change has hit a big speedbump.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

missing Gonzo's inspiration with hard news, but is no reason to shirk my self-appointed responsibility! Am also at a bit of a loss about what to say about yesterday's elections in America, and wanna pick carefully what news to post from that!********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Yes Prop 19 was interesting, and terriffic that it was up for voting at all, BUT a whole lot more serious and scary issues on board right now than the right to be high or not, or at least in my opinion!********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

With all the influx of traffic to the site, my connection speed seems to have slowed down. Mostly just a little depressed this morning over the elections, not that it was unexpected. In my own Congressional district, I've been trying to vote out since I arrived in this state Virginia Foxx (looks like a stripper's name with the "XX", I know, but she's a blue-haired grandma), a former Bush sycophant and now a major obstructionist. She famously announced to the House this year that Matthew Shepard's murder was a robbery-homicide and that he was not targeted because he was gay, that the whole "hate crime" thing was a hoax perpertrated on the American people. While Matthew's mom was in attendance at the hearing... Just the tip of the Foxx iceberg, but the rural NC folks in my district (a gerrymandered-looking district if I've ever seen one) love her. I'm at a loss to understand why. I KNOW why, I just don't understand it. Mean Al
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

I don't understand the lies and paranoia and insanity flying around either. It boggles my mind, honestly. Lies like you just told from Ms. Foxx. SOME folks should have to listen to our news over here for 2-3 days, to see what the rest of the world thinks about these elections. But then again prolly those folks don't care!! ********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

Michigan has such sheep as people we hire people who out source their ex company(GATEWAY)We just had a Major community say no to medical and not even allowed to grow in. The area is rural. Funny they all want to change the law we voted in by 63%. Prop 19 was defeated by the dispensaries and those cashing in a little know fact. Look were they gave their money. And there are far bigger concerns. This state bellied up to fear tactics and not remembering how we got in to such a lousy situation. Take no responsibility and blame others. Then when that does not work jump ships and expect gold streets in 2 years. Baffles me how can anything work unless all work together forget the sides were are all one. Yet im the idiot and unreasonable one and the Dreamer wont you be one too. Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

16 years 2 months
Permalink

I watch europe for news BBC and others anything but our 2 owners deciding what we will hear.Americans look like pure idiots . Step back and take a view. Sad as it may be to do. Do For Other's you Will Feel Better!!! Guaranteed
user picture

Member for

16 years 11 months
Permalink

It's outrageous to have to put up with all the political b.s bought as advertisements by the media and shoved down our throats. Thank goodness the elections are over & the attack ads stop!I propose that no more political ads be placed on-air and that the money spent on such garbage be spent on charitable causes or paying down the national debt.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Ted!********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

they're all bastards, both sides, they both use fear, paranoia and outright lies to try and convince the voters. The Murray/Rossi fight here in Washington state has been a prime example. Damned politicians have absolutely NO morals and don't want us to think for ourselves. I'm sick of it..........ok, now may I have a cookie?
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Let's start passing out the cookies. And some cake, cake and chocolate pudding for me, please.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

johnman pass me a cookie.
user picture
Default Avatar

Member for

13 years 10 months
Permalink

the good people of singapore going about there daily shopping when bits of a plane start falling around there ears.Luckily no one was hit and it was just part of one of the planes engines so no probs there then.Plane made an emergency landing and everyone was fine,well with that and terror attacks no flying for this hippy for a while. Have a grate weekend all. Peace.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Yeah musta been a shock alright for the passengers, as well as the folks on the ground in Singapore, who heard the boom and saw the parts falling. But it seems that Quantas acted responsibly, by grounding all 380's until experts can identify exactly what happened. Perhaps there's a reason why "Quantas never crashed" as Rainman said! ********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture
Default Avatar
Permalink

...on the elections? (Sorry to be away friends but some times you have to give it a break).Alan Grayson went down in flames in ther 8th District of Florida. This guys ran a no holds barred political campaign that made a lot of the big-money boys cringe. He shouted out long and hard sabout the war and the economy, the banks -- you name it. Though he unfortunately negged out at the end with some stupid commercials. Speaking of neg. attack ads., They of are now in Vermont where they never used to be. Thank the PACS and the corps.. Elections are such a farce. The government is nothing but the enforcers of the Big Money boys. Think about it. The rich are taking as they like and telling us to shut up. I can only take this shit for so long before I snap. Fuck these vein, ridiculous people. There, see why I have to stay awy? My Blood Pressure just went up 20 points! Seriously though, missing the conversation with you all. ~ Don't lend your hand to raise no flag atop no ship of fools ~
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

am dang glad to see you-high BP or not! ********************************** By trying we can easily learn to endure adversity -- another man's I mean. Mark Twain
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

But do watch the BPs....both the one starting in "blood" and the other one ending in "petroleum."
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

You folks live in a tough country You choose a guy to lead you who is full of bright ideas He inherits a crock of shit, tries hard, but inevitably falls short of delivering the promised land in just 2 years. So what do you do? Cut off one his legs and say ‘There you go buddy. Lets see how you do in the next two years'’ Merciless? Democracy in action? A spineless loss of nerve? A judicious balancing of the ship? Who knows. This I do know. It may be wise not to trust intellectuals, but that does not make being wilfully ignorant any better.
user picture

Member for

17 years
Permalink

Turned into instant-gratification junkies here, CB. Get it done now = get it done last week or last month or last year, and long term = get it done yesterday. It's sometimes comical in my job -- testing things. "How quickly can you get it done?" "The test takes 40 hrs." "But how quickly can you get it done?" "40 hrs. takes 40 hrs. I can't change the speed at which time passes." Dissatisfied co-worker walks away thinking that I'm a jerk or incompetent or both. And maybe I AM a jerk and/or incompetent, but 40 hrs is still 40 hrs.
user picture

Member for

16 years 6 months
Permalink

screw politics, politicians, corporations, and politicians...did I mention corporations or politicians?