Arizona's own Retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor Officiates Gay Wedding AT Supreme Court

I have always admired Sandra Day O'Connor. Not just because she was this country's first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, but also because her decisions, barring the disastrous Bush v Gore decision, were for the most part, sane and not always in line with hard-line right-wing ideology.

I have to admit, I have been quite angry with her since she retired. I know that is unfair and even irrational since she had a very ill husband and wanted to spend more time with him. But the timing of her retirement and replacement ended up being catastrophic for this country.

But this news has softened my anger towards her a bit:

On Tuesday, retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor officiated a same-sex marriage at the Supreme Court, the first gay wedding to take place in the court’s halls. (It wasn’t the first officiated by a justice, though; Ruth Bader Ginsburg beat O’Connor to that honor.) The event serves as a heartwarming confirmation that O’Connor’s shift to the left has continued through retirement—but it’s also a poignant reminder that the justice’s early retirement cut short what might have been an evolution from Reagan conservative to gay-rights luminary.

And as JMG says: The wingnut outrage will be delicious. I could not agree more.



  

The Daily Show: Which state will be the last to legalize gay marriage?

Ahhhh it is so nice to start the day off with a good laugh.



Gotta confess, this clip gives me pause. I know I've been guilty on occasion of making broad generalizations when deep down I know there are always exceptions. But when it comes to racism, homophobia, and bible thumping hypocrisy it is hard to deny that certain parts of the country are probably more guilty than others. I also know most of these Daily Show pieces are heavily edited to achieve the outcome they want.

That said - I'm stickin with Nate Silver on this one. It will most likely be Mississippi or Alabama that comes in dead last when it comes to legalizing gay marriage.

Hawaii: I love the smell of desperation in the morning

As we approach the 10 year anniversary of the legalization of gay marriage in Massachusetts and gay marriage now legal in 14 states, the District of Columbia, several counties in New Mexico, seven Native American tribal jurisdictions, and marriage lawsuits in 14 states (Texas being the latest), the heavy smell of desperation is in the air. Especially in Hawaii. Listen to this radio ad:



My gawd - the fear mongering is unbelievable. It would be laughable if it weren't so damn pathetic.

Oh and guess which party is behind all of this nonsense.

Happy 10th Anniversary Massachusetts and ... Thank you!

On November 18, 2003, a day that will forever haunt some, Massachusetts became the first state in the U.S. in which same-sex couples could legally marry.  



Thank you Chief Justice Margaret H. Marshall!

Anti-gay customers refuse tip to server, leave nasty hateful note, and dare to pass themselves off as "Christians"

The outpouring of kindness and support for the young gay waiter who was left the ugly note instead of a tip has been amazing. There is definitely a lesson here for the sanctimonious frauds who passed the note under the guise of loving "Christians": Expect major push-back when you bully and demean in the name of God. You may not get away with it anymore. People are definitely on to you:

KCTV5

My heart is filled with joy at the anger this incident has spawned towards the so-called Christian couple. For far too long incidents like this one did not receive the kind of attention this one has and when one did, it always seemed like it was the so-called Christians who were portrayed as the victims. But I think the tables have turned. Finally.

I'll bet the couple that left that note never in a million years expected news of their nasty deed to spread like an Arizona wildfire through social media eventually making it to the local news. And this happened in the bright red state of Kansas!

Serves em right. Maybe they, and others of their ilk, will think twice before pulling this kind of ugly stunt again. Or ... maybe not.

For those who cannot watch the video:

OVERLAND PARK, KS (KCTV) -

A 20-year-old waiter provided exemplary service at an Overland Park Italian restaurant, but his anti-gay customers refused to tip him because of his sexual orientation.

As word has spread through social media, other customers are coming in to offer words of encouragement and tip the young server extra.

The man works at the Carrabba's Italian Grill near 107th Street and Metcalf Avenue. His mother also works as a hostess and she was very upset by what was written on the back of the check earlier this week after he waited on a couple. 

"Thank you for your service, it was excellent. That being said, we cannot in good conscience tip you, for your homosexual lifestyle is an affront to GOD. (Homosexual slur) do not share in the wealth of GOD, and you will not share in ours," the customer wrote. "We hope you will see the tip your (homosexual slur) choices made you lose out on, and plan accordingly. It is never too late for GOD's love, but none shall be spared for (homosexual slur). May GOD have mercy on you."

The server and his mother declined to answer questions on camera, referring questions to restaurant management. The server said on social media that he wanted his work ethic and service to be what warranted tips, not sympathy.

Congratulations New Jersey!

Chris Christie drops challenge to same-sex marriage in New Jersey and Senator-elect Cory Booker wastes no time marrying Orville Bell and Joseph Panessidi in Newark, N.J., early on Monday.

And then:

While officiating the first couple’s ceremony, he asked whether anyone had any objections. One protester yelled that these marriages were “unlawful in the eyes of God and Jesus Christ,” and was then quickly removed.

“Not hearing any substantive objections, I will proceed with the vows,” Booker replied.

Ahhh, it is so nice to return home and find things a lot better than when I left.

Update: Ooops - so tired when I posted this last night I forgot to embed the clip of the ceremony. (Part with religious coo coo making a fool of himself objecting to the marriage is not included.)

Texas Judge: The Republican Party left me, I am becoming a Democrat

WOW!  I wish this happened more often:



Via: TPC

National Coming Out Day is tomorrow

Oh Ugh! I really am taking a break, but I am not officially running away until tomorrow and this post is actually about something really, really important.

Tomorrow is the 25th anniversary of National Coming out Day. And trust me, Coming Out is one of our most powerful weapons, but as we tell people who come to our PFLAG support meetings, no one can make that decision but you. If this is not the right time for you to come out - DON'T. It is always better to wait if you are, for instance, financially dependent on your parents and you suspect they might take your news badly and kick you out to fend for yourself before you are ready. But there are any number of very valid reasons for delaying the big Coming Out Day, so don't sweat it if the time is not right for you.

But for those who are ready to reveal their authentic selves, please, please consider doing it. It is a lot harder to discriminate and hate when you know someone who is lgbt. There is no better way to kill that faceless boogieman the religious right haters use to scare-monger than by putting a face on it.

Taking a break ...

Posting will be spotty to possibly non-existent for the next week or so. Taking a break and running away from it all. I've had enough of this shut-down terrorism and really need to escape for a while.

Be good, keep fighting, and know I love (most of) you.

Seething Mom

PS  I do NOT know what I would do without Jon Stewart:

Rev. Gary Hall: Homophobia is a sin

Boy do we need more religious leaders like Rev. Gary Hall, chief ecclesiastical leader and executive officer of the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C.  (Are you listening Rick Warren, Pat Robertson, and the rest of you sanctimonious frauds?)



From the article:

"In its wisdom, the church came to its senses and labeled both racism and sexism as sinful. And now we find ourselves at the last barrier—call that barrier homophobia, call it heterosexism. We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin. Heterosexism is a sin. Shaming people for whom they love is a sin. Shaming people because their gender identity doesn’t fit neatly into your sense of what it should be is a sin. Our job, as Christians, is not only to proclaim that Gospel. Our job is to live it. And if we are faithful in proclaiming and living it, today’s generation of LGBT youth will thrive and grow and take their places around this table, with Jesus, as we bless, forgive, heal, and love the world. Amen."

What a refreshing break from the horrible homophobia and hate emanating from the mouths of snake-oil salesmen masquerading as hand-picked (by God of course) holy men in right-wing churches across the country (while pulling in the big $$ to enrich themselves and enshrine their ignorance and homophobia into our laws - yes Catholic Church - you are included in this indictment as well).

Betty White and cast of Hot in Cleveland to wear purple this Oct 17 in support of Spirit Day

Oh how I love Betty White.

Being profoundly stupid is not a bug, but a feature for today's Republican Party

Watch the interviewer in this clip. Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Corbett, opens his mouth and renders her speechless:



Honestly, nothing Republicans say or do renders me  speechless anymore. In fact, the only thing that does is when one of them says something that makes sense.

Republicans: party of the profoundly stupid.

My idiot Republican Arizona Rep, David Schweikert, breathlessly talks about government shutdown to NPR: “This is my idea of fun”

My Idiot Multimillionaire Rep David Schweikert 

So my teabagger representative, David Schweikert is having a simply lovely time shutting down the government. He has absolutely no worries about furloughing and suspending the pay of 800,000 workers.  And why would he? He's got a net worth of $6,165,011 and not a damn care in the world. 

It gags me to listen to the sheer joy in his voice:



Check out the smirk on this schmuck's face. I can hardly stand it. These guys really are an evil lot. No empathy, no conscience, no sense of shame, no soul. Psychopaths - the whole teabaggin lot of them.

More slacking - part $*&%8

My husband and I dream of one day leaving Arizona (and its lunatic infested legislature and mean-girl governor) and one day moving to California. Can't do it now, but one day I think we will.

And Bill does a good job of explaining why:

Ok if my lazy-ass Representative (David Schweikert and Senators (McGrumpy& Flake) can shut down our gubment, then I can slack off a little here too

I am straying off-topic a lot today, but hey, I'm a lazy unpaid blogger, not some big important politician who hates gubment but has his/her hand wide open when it comes to health insurance, paychecks, paid vacations, and pensions.

but anyhoo ... here is one of the groups who get demonized a lot when in reality they are the ones inheriting our mess and hopefully cleaning it up.

Millennials: We Suck and We're Sorry:

What we have left our children. And by "we" I mean the Republican buffoons in both the Senate and House who are throwing their 2-year old tantrums and pee-peeing their panties (diapers in Senator David Vitter's case) while throwing an awsome tantrum that is impressing a smaller and smaller base of the seriously mean and mentally unstable.

Oh and PS: It is so hard for me to wrap my head around the Republicans strategy. I cannot in any way understand how they think this shutdown can produce a good outcome for them.

You know what I have been doing today (besides slacking)? Working with my husband and the two of our three kids who will be benefiting from Obamacare. One who graduated from college a few years ago and is now working on his ratings in flight school so he can eventually try and get hired by a commercial airline as an airline pilot. And one who is going to medical school and will turn 26 next year and get dropped from our policy.

I cannot begin to describe the relief Obamacare brings to this former Republican household. So again I ask, how in the world does this whole shutdown sh*t show translate into a win for these Republican thugs in DC????

Is this country that ignorant and uninformed? If so, then I feel completely hopeless and doomed.

A bit out of scope of this blog, but hey, we're in a shutdown so watch it anyway

This really is a must- watch:



The clip via JMG as well as this:

Dan Savage in This American Life: Return to the Scene of the Crime

This clip is not new, it has been around for a while, but it is so worth watching. I actually did not see the video until now, but I had listened to it as a podcast about a year ago when I was working out. I might have drawn a bit of attention to myself as I was the only one on a stair-master crying and laughing intermittently. I must have looked like an idiot, but it was worth it.

I may not be a gay man, but there is so so much in this lovely, emotional, funny piece I can identify with. If you'd like a break from the nonstop news of the government shutdown and the lunatics behind it, now would be a good time to take a few minutes and watch it. You will not regret it.



Thank you John over at AmericaBlog, it felt good to have another laugh-cry fest.