Mad Hare

Liar, liar, pants on fire

2011-06-06T10:43:00.004-06:00

Just yesterday I was involved in an online conversation about the differences between conservative & liberals, and how those labels have changed over my lifetime. It's actually one of the things that continually puzzles me - how today's liberals are more like yesterday's conservatives yet are vilified so completely by today's conservatives. Weird.

Then I find that Mother Jones/AlterNet has an article along similar lines, though more focused on the acceptability of mendacity in today's political discourse. Check out this excerpt:

It takes two things to make a political lie work: a powerful person or institution willing to utter it, and another set of powerful institutions to amplify it. The former has always been with us: Kings, corporate executives, politicians, and ideologues from both sides of the aisle have been entirely willing to bend the truth when they felt it necessary or convenient. So why does it seem as if we're living in a time of overwhelmingly brazen deception? What's changed?

Today's marquee fibs almost always evolve the same way: A tree falls in the forest -- say, the claim that Saddam Hussein has "weapons of mass destruction," or that Barack Obama has an infernal scheme to parade our nation's senior citizens before death panels. But then a network of media enablers helps it to make a sound -- until enough people believe the untruth to make the lie an operative part of our political discourse.

For the past 15 years, I've spent much of my time deeply researching three historic periods -- the birth of the modern conservative movement around the Barry Goldwater campaign, the Nixon era, and the Reagan years -- that together have shaped the modern political lie. Here's how we got to where we are.

If you'd read how we got to this place, here's a link.

2011-05-16T09:54:00.002-06:00

From The Independent:

The end of the world is nigh; 21 May, to be precise. That's the date when Harold Camping, a preacher from Oakland, California, is confidently predicting the Second Coming of the Lord. At about 6pm, he reckons 2 per cent of the world's population will be immediately "raptured" to Heaven; the rest of us will get sent straight to the Other Place.

If Mr Camping were speaking from any normal pulpit, it would be easy to dismiss him as just another religious eccentric wrongly calling the apocalypse. But thanks to this elderly man's ubiquity, on America's airwaves and billboards, his unlikely Doomsday message is almost impossible to ignore.

Every day Mr Camping, an 89-year-old former civil engineer, speaks to his followers via the Family Radio Network, a religious broadcasting organisation funded entirely by donations from listeners. Such is their generosity (assets total $120m) that his network now owns 66 stations in the US alone.

Ohhhhhh-kaaaaaayyyyyy. It occurs to me that the folks most likely to subscribe to Camping's prediction, or just to the idea of "The Rapture" in general, are probably the same folks who derisively scream "REVISIONST!" when someone mildly points out that the six Biblical passages used to condemn gays have other interpretations.

Presbyterian Church USA Votes for Justice & Equality

2011-05-11T05:20:00.007-06:00

In a vote yesterday evening the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) took a decisive step toward adopting an amendment to its governing Book of Order, effectively dropping the church's ban on the ordination of non-celibate gay clergy. This makes it the fourth mainline Protestant Christian denomination in the US to do so, the others being The Episcopal Church (TEC), the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) and The United Church of Christ (UCC).

From their official statement:

This year, the conversation has focused on Amendment 10-A that was passed by the 219th General Assembly (2010) and sent to presbyteries for approval. While we wait for official tallies, it appears that 87 presbyteries will approve 10-A during the week of May 9, which is the majority required for approval.

If this becomes official, the new language outlining the gifts and requirements for ordained service will say the following:

Standards for ordained service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and/or installation (G.14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidate’s ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-4.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.

This decision begins with an unequivocal affirmation that ordained office will continue to be rooted in each deacon, elder, and minister’s “joyful submission to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life.”

This action also has important effects on our life together as a church, namely:

in keeping with our historic principles of church order, each session and presbytery will continue to determine the suitability of individuals seeking ordination within its bounds.
persons in a same-gender relationship may be considered for ordination and/or installation as deacons, elders, and ministers of the Word and Sacrament within the PC(USA); and
all other churchwide standards for ordination remain unchanged.

The entire statement is available online.

Reaction from More Light Presbyterians, a group within the church which has advocated for full inclusion of LGBT members in the life of the church and in ordination:

Dear friends,

Grace and peace. We give thanks to God that the 219th General Assembly's Ordination Amendment 10-A was ratified tonight as Twin Cities was the 87th presbytery to approve it by 205 to 56 with 3 abstentions.

Tonight Presbyterians join the United Church of Christ, the Episcopalian Church and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America as denominations who have eliminated official barriers to full membership, leadership and service for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender persons. This is indeed a historic moment in the life of the Presbyterian Church (USA), but also in the worldwide Christian communion.

More Light Presbyterians have been working for justice and equality since 1974 when the Rev. David Sindt became the first openly gay minister in our Church. "I am so grateful for the sacrificial effort of so many people over these years to bring this deeply Reformed correction to an error made by the Church. Both during these months as the presbyteries have voted and for the last 37 years, you have courageously and steadfastly given of yourselves in a host of ways to bring our Church to this moment. Every bit of your energy, intelligence, imagination and love was needed to come to this new day. I am grateful to God for the privilege of being part of this witnessing community," said the Rev. Janet Edwards, Co-Moderator.

"My heart is full as I think of all of those children of God who were hurt, who persevered, who left, who stayed and who worked so hard to make the Presbyterian Church (USA) truly reflect the wildly inclusive love of Jesus Christ—too many to name. Now, candidates for office within the PC(USA) will be evaluated based upon their love of Jesus Christ, the wholeness of their lives, their call to ministry and the gifts they bring," said Trice Gibbons, Co-Moderator.

Hat-haters Gonna Hate (a letter to HRH Princess Beatrice Elizabeth Mary of York)

2011-05-02T21:32:00.012-06:00

Your Royal Highness -

In recent days i have been appalled by the license with which hatless haters are ridiculing the awesome chapeau you were proudly sporting for the marriage of HRH the Duke of Cambridge to his lovely bride.

It is my fond hope that you persist in joyfully sailing above the critics and that you continue to inspire & astound your admirers with your millinery magnificence.

i look forward to many years of viewing your terrific toppers.

Sincerely (and i MEAN sincerely),

An admiring American of British descent.

And an aside to the haters - in a world that is so often drab and lacking in harmless audacity, may you find yourselves at least a little more open to the surprising and imaginative. Especially when exhibited by someone who is subject to public criticism every time they show their face in public.

It's not like the Princess is wearing her jeans halfway off her royal fundament or something equally ridiculous.

And since i am a crass American - suck it, haters!!!

Ayn Rand Movie Fails in Free Market

2011-04-25T14:57:00.003-06:00

i just love seeing a headline like that. Here's the link if you're interested.

After only reaching 14th in box office receipts for its first weekend, it dropped 47% in its second. That, despite showing in 166 more theaters nationwide. Production budget was $20 million, and so far it's grossed just slightly over $3 million.

Despite the poor showing, at least the figures aren't as ugly as Ayn Rand's mug.

Endangered Species: Republicans with Morals

2011-04-12T18:24:00.003-06:00

From ThinkProgress:
On MSNBC’s Hardball with Chris Matthews today, former Senator Alan Simpson (R-WY), co-chair of President Obama’s debt commission, railed against the social conservatives in the Republican party. He admonished male legislators for voting on abortion issues and “homophobes” like Rick Santorum who say “cruel, cruel things” about gays and lesbians:

SIMPSON: Who the hell is for abortion? I don’t know anybody running around with a sign that says, “Have an abortion! They’re wonderful!” They’re hideous, but they’re a deeply intimate and personal decision, and I don’t think men legislators should even vote on the issue.

Then you’ve got homosexuality, you’ve got Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. We have homophobes on our party. That’s disgusting to me. We’re all human beings. We’re all God’s children. Now if they’re going to get off on that stuff—Santorum has said some cruel things—cruel, cruel things—about homosexuals. Ask him about it; see if he attributes the cruelness of his remarks years ago. Foul.

Now if that’s the kind of guys that are going to be on my ticket, you know, it makes you sort out hard what Reagan said, you know, “Stick with your folks.” But, I’m not sticking with people who are homophobic, anti-women, moral values—while you’re diddling your secretary while you’re giving a speech on moral values? Come on, get off of it.

Watch the video.

Have You No Decency Rep. King?

2011-03-10T14:25:00.004-07:00

The political scapegoating theater of the hearings that Representative King (R-NY) is holding evokes both nausea & anger in my gut. It's hard for me to outline just how wrong i think his actions are. Why is easier, but more thoughtful writers than i are saying it better than i can.

Rev. Jim Wallis from Sojourners, on the theological mistakes of the hearing:

There is no doubt, terrorism is real. And there are small groups of terrorists who threaten countless innocents across the world. They are waging a battle on two fronts. The first is physical and the second is theological. Both have consequences.

Of course, Americans want to protect their families and nation from physical attack by terrorists. And since 9/11 we are likely safer than before but, at the same time, terrorist threats have grown. And most Americans agree on the necessity of good intelligence and policing to protect against further terrorism. But it is a serious mistake to only address the symptoms and results of terrorism, without addressing the causes.

One cause is that the terrorists are making gains in the theological battle. The terrorist’s ideology claims that every action they take is part of a global battle between Islam and the West. They want to convince the world that Islam is right and good, and that the West is wrong and Evil. And it helps the terrorists immeasurably when Americans say, in effect, that West is right and good, and that Islam is wrong and evil. Every time American voices say or imply that, it is counted by the terrorists as a victory. They love to point to those stories in the American media, and to use them to justify their cause, make themselves more righteous, and recruit more terrorists.

Exactly. Read the rest of his article here.

Mother Jones gives some background on Rep. King's Islamophobic hardon.

On Thursday, Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, will hold hearings on what he calls the "radicalization" of members of the American Muslim community. King, who has previously called for the New York Times to be tried for treason and for WikiLeaks to be listed as a terrorist organization, has never shied away from confronting terrorist threats wherever he sees them—but this time he's struck a nerve. He's been denounced by the ACLU and Democratic rivals—who have compared him to Joseph McCarthy. His own party, meanwhile, has been conspicuously silent. So who's going to speak on Thursday? And what are they going to say? We've got you covered:

When: Thursday at 9:30 A.M. You can watch it live on C-Span, catch the webcast here, and follow my Twitter feed for live updates.

What's the back story? When King announced the hearings last December, he explained that law enforcement officials "are constantly telling me how little cooperation they get from Muslim leaders." King concedes that only a small fraction of American Muslims have ties to terrorism, but argues that those extremists have outsized influence, citing one figure that 80-percent of mosques in the United States are under the control of jihadists (that figure has been debunked). King believes "political correctness" is interfering with national security; as he explains it, the hearings are analogous to investigations into the Italian-American mafia.

[SNIP!]

...critics of the hearings dispute King's central premise—that American Muslims are complicit in the radicalization of a tiny minority. A February study by the Triangle Center on Terrorism and Homeland Security, for instance, reported that Muslim-American terrorist attacks had dropped significantly in the last year, and that 40-percent of all terrorism arrests came after a tip from the Muslim-American community.

So not only will his hearings likely bolster the recruitment efforts of actual terrorists, but his central premise is total crap.

Rep. King said after starting his hearings that, "To back down would be a craven surrender to political correctness and an abdication of what I believe to be the main responsibility of this committee-- to protect America from a terrorist attack."

Among the many things that Rep. King has wrong is this - it's not political correctness that opposes his McCarthyist effort - it's plain old correctness, a/k/a common sense that stands in opposition to his stance. As history will most likely recount.

For shame, Rep. King. And shame on any elected official or regular American citizen who supports this latest Republican-manufactured xenophobia.

Locution from Borg

2010-12-06T18:00:00.004-07:00

From Sojourners website:
An excerpt from Becky Garrison's account of her recent interview with Marcus Borg

What do you say to those who claim the United States is a “Christian” nation?

The negative side of the ambiguity of faith is that religions have often endorsed extraordinary cruelty and violence. For example, when cultural conventions said slavery was OK, Christians accepted slavery. You can make your own list — segregation, wars, heterosexism, patriarchy, vast differences between rich and poor, and so forth. On the positive side, Christianity and other religions have also been protests against the way things are and [have affirmed] another possibility. The United States is statistically the most Christian country in the world in terms of [the] percentage of the population who will identify as Christian and in absolute numbers. Yet, the church is the only large institution in the United States where hate speech is still OK. This hate speech is directed mostly against LGBT people, but also against other religions, especially Islam. Can you imagine any corporation allowing its leaders to make statements about gay and lesbian people that are routinely said within the church?

How then does one live as a Christian in an increasingly global world?

One of my definitions of what it means to be Christian is, “a Christian is someone who lives their life with God within the framework of the Christian tradition.” A Jew is one who does so within the Jewish tradition. And you can start to fill in the blanks for the other enduring faith traditions. And by enduring, I mean those religions that have stood the test of time. For me, it’s not about one of the enduring religions of the world, namely our own, being the best one. Rather, to say that a Christian [is someone] who lives out their life within the framework of the Christian tradition is about difference and identity, not about superiority. I really like the analogy of religions, in an important respect, being like languages. To be Christian, means [to speak] Christian, to be Jewish means [to speak] Jewish, and so forth. Obviously, I’m not talking about speaking the ancient languages of the tradition but knowing and understanding the stories and vocabulary of your tradition. So being a Christian in a pluralized society, means to live deeply within the Christian tradition while being able to recognize the riches and saints of other traditions.

The Christian Liturgical Year Begins

2010-12-03T22:32:00.002-07:00

Time flies by, i step away from the grindstone and look up, and it's Advent again! The season of waiting, of expectation, of listening for God's call into new life yet again.

Here's a short list of online Advent resources:

The Season of Hope - history of & resources for Advent
Love Blooms Bright, an Advent blog from the Scottish Episcopal Church
How to use an Advent Wreath
2010 Advent Message from 26th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church in the USA, The Most Rev. Dr. Katharine Jefferts Schori
Life at the Benedictine Monastery of St. Gertrude in Advent (blog)
The Advent That Almost Wasn't from a Ten O'Clock Scholar (blog)
Love Revealed 2010 Advent Calendar, Trinity Wall Street

Joseph M. Smith, Aug. 1, 1928 - Sept. 28, 2010

2010-09-28T14:08:00.001-06:00

My father passed away peacefully today, surrounded by family. Rest in peace & rise in glory, Dad.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.0

A Primer of Pittburghese

2010-09-13T18:04:00.005-06:00

Every locale has its colloquialisms, odd turns of phrase, accents and dialects. Where i grew up, about a 45 minute drive from Pittsburgh (Pixburgh), is no exception. Here are some of the ones i still recall:

Yinz, used for plural of "you". I always have assumed it's a version of "you-uns".

Using an "S" in place of the word "East". For example, Pittsburghers (Burghers) will refer to the area named "East Liberty" as "S'liberty." (If Anton's Deli is still in S'liberty, be sure to get a fish sandwich, some mac'n'cheese, and greens. Mmmmm, mmm!)

The "ow" sound is also replaced with an "ah" sound. So instead of saying "town" it sounds like "tahn". So, downtown would be dahntahn...

"Jaggin'" is used for "joking" or "irritating". Example, Stop jaggin' me! or Stop jaggin' around!

Also the word "Jag" can be used to replace "Jack" or "Jerk". Such as... You're a jag off! or He's a jag ass!

Burghers have never met an infinitive that they couldn't drop. "My car needs to be washed" is usually "My car needs washed."

"Anat" is used to replace the words "and that".

The "r" sound is added in words where there is no "r". Example... I need to "warsh" clothes today. We should "warsh" our cars today. The White House is in "Warsh"ington D.C.

"Da" is almost always used to replace "the".

"Did" and "you" are combined when speaking into "didya" or the plural form "didyinz". "Didyinz" go dahntahn?"

"J'eet yet?" means "Did you eat yet?"

Rubber bands are called "gumbands".

When my mother wanted me to clean my room, she'd tell me to "Redd up" my room.

Kennywood Park is the largest amusement park in Western Pennsylvania. However, the phrase "Kennywood's open!" means that your zipper is down.

Bologna is called "Jumbo".

Underwear is called "Gutchies". (i still call underwear gutchies, LOL)

A creek is called a "crick".

Spaghetti is called "Sketti".

Older folks might call a brown paper bag a "poke".

Maggie Gallagher Meets St. Peter

2010-09-08T04:54:00.000-06:00

Stoke Awareness

2010-07-30T07:42:00.001-06:00

Stoke is far more common than most people realize, and it's important to be able to recognize the signs - the faster help is administered, the more of the victim's brain is saved. When someone exhibits signs of stroke, call 911 and make a note of the time that you noticed the symptoms starting. Every minute counts, both for how much damage is prevented and for determining what immediate treatment options are best.

Hyper-reality

2010-07-28T19:52:00.005-06:00

Last Monday afternoon my partner Wes suffered an ischemic stroke midway up the Middle Cerebral Artery in the right hemisphere of his brain.

Turbulence is life force. It is opportunity. Let's love turbulence and use it for change.

Okay Lord, i'm trying here....

Right-Hemisphere Stroke

The right hemisphere of the brain controls the movement of the left side of the body. It also controls analytical and perceptual tasks, such as judging distance, size, speed, or position and seeing how parts are connected to wholes.

A stroke in the right hemisphere often causes paralysis in the left side of the body. This is known as left hemiplegia. Survivors of right-hemisphere strokes may also have problems with their spatial and perceptual abilities. This may cause them to misjudge distances (leading to a fall) or be unable to guide their hands to pick up an object, button a shirt or tie their shoes. They may even be unable to tell right-side up from upside-down when trying to read.
Along with their impaired ability to judge spatial relationships, survivors of right-hemisphere strokes often have judgment difficulties that show up in their behavioral styles. These patients often develop an impulsive style unaware of their impairments and certain of their ability to perform the same tasks as before the stroke. This behavioral style can be extremely dangerous. It may lead the left hemiplegic stroke survivor to try to walk without aid. Or it may lead the survivor with spatial and perceptual impairments to try to drive a car.

Survivors of right-hemisphere strokes may also experience left-sided neglect. Stemming from visual field impairments, left-sided neglect causes the survivor of a right-hemisphere stroke to "forget" or "ignore" objects or people on their left side.

Finally, some survivors of right-hemisphere strokes will experience problems with short-term memory. Although they may be able to recount a visit to the seashore that took place 30 years ago, they may be unable to remember what they ate for breakfast that morning.

Senility is Contagious

2010-07-28T18:55:00.003-06:00

You know, i'm never far away from being half mad, but there are moments when i think Wes' mom's dementia is going to drive me all the way. i think i'll get a t-shirt that reads:

Your purse is in your bedroom.
Yes, that's your bedroom.
You live here with Wes, Brian and me.
Wes is in the hospital.
You've lived here for the past year.

...five minutes later...

Your purse is in your bedroom.
Yes, that's your bedroom.
You live here with Wes, Brian and me.
Wes is in the hospital.
You've lived here for the past year.

Lather, rinse repeat.
Ad nauseam.

Racism is Ugly

2010-07-28T18:54:00.000-06:00

For no particular reason

2010-07-16T11:57:00.002-06:00

a picture of Enrique:

Mad Hare Speaks

2010-07-05T19:27:00.001-06:00

Velocipedic Ventures

2010-07-05T11:56:00.014-06:00

Earlier this year i cautiously committed to increasing my physical fitness. Cautiously, because over the past twenty+ years such efforts have veered all over the place (along with my weight) and included many annoying injuries. With no interest in repeating that pattern again, i began to explore ways to make changes that would foster overall long-term differences in the way i live my life. So how best to move toward increasing my fitness?

It helps that i daily address issues relating to cardiovascular & diabetes risk reduction at work. Surrounded by that persistent focus, and with my discomfort over increasing weight, low fitness & potentially decreasing health, the motivation to make changes is more consistent than in the past.

i started with daily use of a pedometer, which yielded an unavoidable fact - i simply wasn't getting any where near enough daily physical activity. While the average American takes around 2000 steps a day, far more is needed to maintain fitness. And 6,000 to 10,000 steps a day is recommended to manage or lose weight. i was averaging much less than 2,000.

Though only approaching my 50s, i unfortunately have arthritic knees that believe they're more than 10 years older than me. According to the orthopedist who removed half the meniscus in my right knee several years ago, that is. So running & jogging are out of the question. What then to do? i started taking 20 to 30 minute brisk walks nearly every day. Seems easy, huh? It wasn't, at least not until i started taking Osteo Bi-Flex daily for my joints. Suddenly the aching pain that was increasing my entitlement to be cranky lessened dramatically.

Next barrier - TIME. As my fitness increased, it became apparent that i needed to walk for longer periods of time if real improvement in heart health was the goal. But with the summer heat, the only time to walk was in the early morning or late evening. Since i don't feel inclined to long walks at night when getting home from work, that leaves mornings. Thus began my arising most days between 5:00 & 5:30am, sleepily putting on the clothes that were laid out the night before, and hitting the road for 30 - 45 minutes.

All has gone well since then, except for one thing. Though i now average more than 6,500 steps every day, walking, no matter how brisk the pace doesn't raise my heart rate enough to reach the goal i'm aiming for.

So after a dim light bulb went off in my brain, i reclaimed my almost entirely un-ridden bicycle from my ex and dropped it off at the local bike shop for a complete tune up. After eagerly waiting for the call that it was ready, i picked it up and hit the road. UGH. It only took a short ride to realize what total crap my old bike was. i should have known - it was a Huffy! Heavy frame, sluggish gears; a total torture device.

As luck would have it, the doctor i work with is an avid cyclist. She commutes to work on her bike most days and both she & her husband have winningly competed in local bike events. i find her routine biking somewhat inspirational. One day after clinic i mentioned my cycling woes. Immediately she said "my husband can get you a good bike." A couple of weeks later, after another clinic, she handed me her cellphone and said "It's Peter - he's got a bike for you."

Three hours later i was driving home during the first thunderstorm of the summer with my new (used) bicycle in the back of my truck. It's a '93 Bridgestone MB-6. A solid 'entry-level' mountain bike in excellent shape. When new in 1993 it retailed for around $450. Peter sold it to me for much less than that. In the past two weeks i've taken it out for a morning ride a dozen times. Jeez, i'm out of shape (and out of breath) but what fun it is to ride! Almost like running, but without the crippling joint pain that running would engender. Here she is:

i'm slowly working up to longer rides (really slowly - my longest ride to date is 2 miles, LOL) and had to get some new padded cyclist gloves to ward off numbness and post-ride pain in my hands, but i think i'm in love. With a bicycle! This week's goal - to ride south on Loma Larga to the stop sign and back. That will be about 2.5 miles, all told. i want to be fit enough to use it to run errands in the village, and maybe to the nearby mall. Eventually, who knows? Maybe i can be a bike commuter some day, riding the several miles to the train station and then from the transportation center downtown to my office. Viva la vélo!!!

Depression sucks

2010-06-24T06:51:00.004-06:00

This morning my pillow was wet with tears. My vision blurred as i walked the earth for more than a mile, surrounded by beauty, and all i could taste was ashes. The big black dog is back...if i embrace him will he go away?

Richard Chamberlain and Husband Split After 33 Years

2010-04-27T06:52:00.002-06:00

And now for something completely different:

Richard Chamberlain has reportedly dumped his partner of 33 years and has moved out of the Hawaiian dream home they shared.

The Thorn Birds star, 76, and manager/producer Martin Rabbett, who wed in 1984, have split over Chamberlain's plans to dedicate the rest of his life to acting, according to U.S. publication the Globe.

A source tells the tabloid, "Martin served as Richard's manager for years, but getting older and being out in Hawaii for so long, he really didn't have the connections to make a big push for Richard."

Chamberlain reportedly moved back to Los Angeles after his new managers found him a collection of roles, including a thief in hit TV drama Leverage and a priest in a new independent movie.

But friends insist the actor will become very lonely without his longtime partner by his side.

One pal tells the Globe, "He thinks his work will make him complete, but it's never been enough for him."

starpulse.com

Bishop-elect of the Diocese of the Rio Grande

2010-04-24T13:30:00.004-06:00

Around 1:00pm MDT today, on the third balloting, The Reverend Dr. Michael Louis Vono was elected as the new Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. His bio from the diocesan website:

I was born in Providence, RI, the second of four children in a close-knit family. I had a clear sense of vocation from an early age, and my sixteen years of seminary formation included Catholic, Protestant and Anglican theological training. I completed my doctoral degree in Congregational Studies in 1986. My spiritual gifts are pastoral care, community building, administration, preaching and evangelism.

As Curate in an inner-city multicultural church, I lived with people in crisis, transition, conflict, and confusion. I learned how to be a shepherd, counselor, and friend, as my parishioners struggled to recognize God in their personal wildernesses. My primary responsibility was to parish and local youth, mostly African and Spanish, as well as to newly married couples and the elderly, visiting hospitals and nursing homes. I came to understand how preaching the Gospel, the sacraments, pastoral care and building community effectively changed lives and inspired hope and faithfulness.

As its Vicar, the ‘bedroom community’ of Christ Church, Leicester taught me the value of living in a spiritually intimate community. I began to concentrate on congregational development, and studied at Hartford Theological Seminary. I learned that I had the pastoral gifts to bring an economic mix of people together, enable pastoral visioning and inspire positive results in conflict management situations. I learned how to be a priest, pastor and teacher at Christ Church. In my twelve years there I learned to appreciate the uniqueness of every relationship and love the complex diversities of the Body of Christ.

Now as Rector of St. Paul’s, Rome, I live and work with people of diverse cultures and religious backgrounds. My church is a multi-ethnic, multi-lingual, ecumenical and interfaith community. Our ministries include the Joel Nafuma Refugee Center, a sizable Latin American community, service to the elderly poor of the city as well as displaced youth. At the center of our mission and witness is a profound ministry of radical hospitality.

My spiritual and physical disciplines include praying and studying Scripture/theology each morning and taking physical exercise each day. I meet with my spiritual director monthly, and make a monastic retreat each year. I love community gatherings, theater, music, travel and writing, and nothing invigorates me more than a challenge.

I'm pleased with this outcome, and very happy that the delegates were able to reach a valid election in a mere five hours or so. Here's the article on the national church's news website.

How De-motivational

2010-04-23T15:02:00.003-06:00

Today was post-program measurement day for an employee fitness program i signed up for when i first started this new job. Despite increasing my physical activity for the past six+ weeks and eating healthier (and less!) all my measurements increased. Including blood pressure. How depressing.

At least the college student who did today's measuring was cute & beefy. Maybe that explains the higher BP? i assured him (and myself) that i was going to continue to increase my activity levels and eat healthy. Still, it's a bit hard to stay motivated when it seems the numbers are heading the wrong way.

The subjective truth is that i feel much better, people are saying "You look like you've lost weight," and my clothes are fitting much more comfortably. Damn the numbers. i'm not going to measure anything other than amount of physical activity and food labels for the next two months. Something objectively measurable will have to have changed for the better by then.

Join The Insurrection

2010-04-19T05:56:00.000-06:00

God was that dog I held today

2010-04-18T18:15:00.000-06:00

In response to the wacko right's buzz about Elena Kazan's sexuality

2010-04-17T07:15:00.005-06:00

After first noting that this list is only pertinent when referring to some, but not all, heterosexuals, here's a worthy post from the comments section of a Huffpost article:

Note to heterosexuals – PART 1:

1) Stop assuming the myth of Compulsory Heterosexuality...right now. It's embarrassing.

2) Stop imposing the demand that all Gays come out. No homosexual owes you an explanation for, or disclosure of, anything, ever.

3) Stop equating discretion with delusion. If a Gay does not “come out” to you that lack of disclosure does not always mean a person is "Gay" and closeted. It very often means a person is avowedly "Gay" without any intention of discussing it with YOU or acknowledging your offensively suspicious, circumspect manner. The compulsion to "come out" is a heterosexual fantasy and a bigoted function of the closet...both imposed upon The Gays.

4) Stop using the phrase "openly Gay". Sexual orientation is avowed not admitted.

5) Stop speculating freely and conspiratorially on the sexuality of others. It betrays your grotesque insecurity. It is also called Sexual Harassment.

6) Admit your fear and anxiety when suspected Gays do not reveal sexual orientation.

7) Face that fear and anxiety ALONE. "The Gays" do not come out of the closet just so you can indulge your remarkably creepy need-to-know. Here's a thought: healthy people have boundaries.

8) Admit your unchallenged belief in Compulsory Heterosexuality alone is the cause of your fear and anxiety NOT your perception of ostensible, unverifiable homosexuals.

9) Stop professing you are "fine with The Gays". We're sure you have many black friends too. Please stop telling us about it.

10) Stop forcing homosexuals to tolerate your "tolerance".

11) Stop generalizing and extrapolating from personal experience.

Exhibit A: "I like The Gays so all straight people are cool like me. I'll just indulge my un-interrogated belief that homophobic bigotry is a fantasy of phrenological proportions and expect The Gays not to be offended by my narcissistic ignorance because I really am the center of the universe!"

12) Stop flattering yourself with the "Homosexual Panic Defense". Gays do not want to have sex with you. This is emphasized for straight men. Really. Look in the mirror, step on a scale, then look around.

13) Stop conflating homosexual with "Gay". Sexual orientation and cultural identity are not the same thing, especially when the cultural identity in question has never been formed outside of oppression. While all "Gays" are homosexual, not all avowed homosexuals culturally identify as "Gay".

May favorite may be #12

Cute but Deadly

2010-03-31T06:28:00.000-06:00

Speak Republican

2010-03-26T05:48:00.001-06:00

That's what i thought they meant.

We All Count: LGBT People Count in the 2010 Census!

2010-03-23T06:31:00.001-06:00

Okay, the rap sucks, but the message doesn't. Make sure YOU and yours count!

The Rev. Mary Glasspool

2010-03-20T14:03:00.002-06:00

From Episcopal News, the news arm of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles:

Los Angeles Bishop-elect Mary Douglas Glasspool has received the required number of consents from diocesan standing committees and bishops with jurisdiction to her ordination and consecration as a bishop, according to a March 17 statement from Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori’s office.

Glasspool was elected on Dec. 5, 2009, the second of two bishops suffragan elected at the 114th annual convention meeting of the diocese. In an unofficial tally, the diocese had announced on March 10 that Glasspool had received 63 consents, seven more than the 56 required, from the church's diocesan standing committees.

Her consecration, along with that of the Rev. Canon Diane Jardine Bruce, who was elected a day earlier, is planned for May 15. Jefferts Schori will be the chief consecrator.

The daughter of a priest, Glasspool was one of two openly gay candidates on the Los Angeles slate but maintained that her sexual orientation was "not an issue" in the election. She is the second openly gay partnered priest to be elected a bishop in the Episcopal Church. The first was Bishop Gene Robinson of New Hampshire, who was elected in 2003.

Bishop Jon Bruno of Los Angeles issued a statement giving thanks for the standing committees and bishops who consented to the two elections, saying they "have joined the Diocese of Los Angeles in recognizing and affirming the many gifts and skills of these highly qualified and experienced clerics."

The response from Lambeth Palace? Predictable:

It is regrettable that the appeals from Anglican Communion bodies for continuing gracious restraint have not been heeded

How long, pray tell, Mr. Archbishop of Canterbury, should God's calling of gays and lesbians to ordained service 'graciously' be ignored? Since this is the same line that came from Lambeth in 2004, is six years long enough? Perhaps you'd rather wait until someone else were Archbishop to acknowledge that God calls servants to ordination and consecration as Bishop regardless of human prejudices toward sexual orientation? Since no one but a complete fool would deny that there have always been gays in the priesthood and bishopric, perhaps it's the honesty of the Rev. Glasspool and The Very Rev. V. Gene Robinson that you find distressing?

Just Cuz....

2010-03-10T05:55:00.000-07:00

It's gonna be a taxing day and he's drrrrreeeeaaammmmyyyyy!!!

ALERT: Amazing blog found!

2010-03-03T06:07:00.002-07:00

The Cracker Finishing School For Boys. Seriously twisted, intelligent and amazing. i love it. From one of the entries:

Ain't It The Truth...

2010-03-01T06:06:00.001-07:00

A woman in a hot air balloon realized she was lost. She lowered her altitude and spotted a man in a boat below. She shouted to him, "Excuse me, can you help me? I promised a friend I would meet him an hour ago, but I don't know where I am."

The man consulted his portable GPS and replied, "You're in a hot air balloon, approximately 30 feet above ground elevation of 2,346 feet above sea level. You are at 31 degrees, 14.97 minutes north latitude and 100 degrees, 49.09 minutes west longitude.

"She rolled her eyes and said, "You must be an Obama Democrat." "I am," replied the man. "How did you know?"

"Well," answered the balloonist, "everything you told me is technically correct. But I have no idea what to do with your information, and I'm still lost. Frankly, you've not been much help to me."

The man smiled and responded, "You must be a Republican." "I am," replied the balloonist. "How did you know?" "Well," said the man, "you don't know where you are or where you are going. You've risen to where you are due to a large quantity of hot air. You made a promise you have no idea how to keep, and you expect me to solve your problem. You're in exactly the same position you were in before we met, but somehow, now it's my fault."

It's All About God

2010-02-28T07:45:00.003-07:00

Shamelessly stolen from the blog profile of the Seersucker Seminarian, a blogger whom MadPriest alerted his readers to.

I used to believe that the purpose of being a Christian was to learn to live a good and righteous life. I now believe that I am good and righteous, not of my own doing, but as a gift of grace by faith in Jesus Christ. I used to believe that if I said my prayers and lived an obedient life, when I died I would inherit eternal life. Now I believe that eternal life begins at the font and goes on forever. My experience of God has shifted from fear to love, from conditional to unconditional, from judgment to mercy. I used to believe that being a Christian was about me. That's idolatry. I've discovered, thanks to the witness of the Episcopal Church, that being a Christian is about God. That's grace. - The Rt. Rev. Neil Alexander

Amen to that, Bishop.

Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.

2010-02-17T16:57:00.003-07:00

My atheist & agnostic friends may want to skip this post, LOL.

From the Book of Common Prayer, Ash Wednesday liturgy:

Most holy and merciful Father:
We confess to you and to one another,
and to the whole communion of saints
in heaven and on earth,
that we have sinned by our own fault
in thought, word, and deed;
by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.

We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and
strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We
have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We have been deaf to your call to serve, as Christ served us.
We have not been true to the mind of Christ. We have grieved
your Holy Spirit.
Have mercy on us, Lord.

We confess to you, Lord, all our past unfaithfulness: the
pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our self-indulgent appetites and ways, and our exploitation
of other people,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those
more fortunate than ourselves,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our intemperate love of worldly goods and comforts, and
our dishonesty in daily life and work,
We confess to you, Lord.

Our negligence in prayer and worship, and our failure to
commend the faith that is in us,
We confess to you, Lord.

Accept our repentance, Lord, for the wrongs we have done:
for our blindness to human need and suffering, and our
indifference to injustice and cruelty,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our
neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those
who differ from us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of
concern for those who come after us,
Accept our repentance, Lord.

Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us;
Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.

Accomplish in us the work of your salvation,
That we may show forth your glory in the world.

By the cross and passion of your Son our Lord,
Bring us with all your saints to the joy of his resurrection.

The 20th Century Heresy - Biblical Inerrancy

2010-02-02T08:55:00.001-07:00

Protect the Children (and mean it)

2010-01-27T11:26:00.001-07:00

This is one of the clearest expositions of the facts that undermine the false stereotyping of gay men as child molesters that i've ever seen. Bravo!

Perry v. Schwarzenegger

2010-01-27T09:23:00.006-07:00

The US District Court case challenging the constitutionality of California's Proposition 8 is now in its third week. The plaintiffs are couples Kristin Perry/Sandra Steir and Paul Katami/Jeffrey Zarrillo who filed the suit against the two county clerks who respectively denied each couple a marriage license. Also named as defendants in the suit are Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Attorney General Jerry Brown, and two officials in the Department of Public Health.

AG Jerry Brown chose not to defend against the lawsuit stating that Prop 8 violates the 14 Amendment of the US Constitution. However, other parties who were proponents of Prop 8 and advocated prior to the election to strip legally recognized rights from gay people chose to sign on to the case as intervenors on the defense side. Judge Walker allowed the official proponents to become intervenors for the defense, but denied another anti-gay group from doing so. The judge also allowed the City of San Francisco to join the case as an intervenor for the plaintiffs, but denied other requests of potential intervenors for the plaintiffs.

In addition to the personal interest the case has for me (Wes & i would have been married in December 2008 while visiting CA if Prop 8 hadn't passed) i'm also finding it interesting legally. It looks like the plaintiffs have an EXTREMELY competent case for reinforcing the legal definition of LGBTs as a suspect class (i.e. a legally recognized minority at risk of experiencing discrimination that the majority does not face) and thus for the overturning of Prop 8. It's also striking just how truly conservative the plaintiffs' attorneys' arguments are. Also, the defendants are presenting a piss-poor case that is having the primary effect of underscoring their anti-gay bigotry and the bankruptcy of their reasoning for denying gays equal rights.

The best legal commentary i've found on Perry v. Schwarzenegger comes from Shannon Mintner, from the National Center for Lesbian Rights. Her summation of each day's events in the case can be read over at Pam's House Blend. The Blend also posts tweets from individuals who are in attendance at the trial. Another reliable source for commentary on the case is Box Turtle Bulletin.

Arcing Toward Justice

2010-01-20T11:18:00.002-07:00

From TransEpiscopal:

About a week ago I picked up a voicemail from my mom: “Sweetheart, I was wondering if you’ve heard about Amanda Simpson, the transgender woman who was appointed by President Obama this week?” I had indeed heard about Simpson whose appointment as Senior Technical Adviser for the Commerce Department's Bureau of Industry and Security rightly has been hailed as a milestone in the push toward full equality for trans people.

Then on Tuesday, January 5th, the New York Times reported that the Obama administration had “inserted language into the federal jobs Web site explicitly banning employment discrimination based on gender identity.” This move was hailed by the ACLU as “frankly a bigger deal” than the expected insertion of trans inclusive language into the federal handbook for supervisors and managers.

As we move into the season of Epiphany, my question is: what do these developments and the debates swirling around them, reveal about the place and progress of trans folks “among us”? Because if Epiphany – from the Greek epiphaneia, meaning manifestation or revelation – is a celebration of the light of Emmanuel, God-among-us, then part of this celebration requires our search for how God is revealing Godself among us and prodding us to move forward.

Of her own appointment Simpson stated, "I'm truly honored to have received this appointment and am eager and excited about this opportunity that is before me. And at the same time, as one of the first transgender presidential appointees to the federal government, I hope that I will soon be one of hundreds, and that this appointment opens future opportunities for many others."

Predictably, the religious right has received these developments as portents of doom. In response to the updated federal employment protections, Peter Sprigg of the Family Research Council argued that trans people should be treated with reparative therapy. Simpson’s appointment prompted the Christian Broadcasting Network’s David Brody to warn Obama not to alienate conservative Evangelicals with "the transgender thing”, while Peter Labarbera of Americans for Truth wondered, "Is there going to be a transgender quota now in the Obama administration?"

Transgender 'thing' and transgender 'quota'? Look you peters - we're all brothers and sisters, equal in God's eyes - get over your prejudices.

Tell it to the Feds - the Prop 8 case

2010-01-20T11:09:00.003-07:00

From Box Turtle Bulletin:

Today’s testimony started with San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders. He stated his conservative credentials: Republican, previously police chief. Sanders talked about his lesbian daughter Lisa and how he came to believe that domestic partnerships were not adequate.

Sanders spoke about the city’s resolution to support marriage equality and why he unexpectedly decided to sign it rather than veto it (liveblog paraphrase):
I struggled for a long time since I took the position. But the night before that video, I invited some LGBT friends over to tell them I was going to veto. I was shocked at the hurt that they showed when I told them. One friend said that we interact with you as a family. They felt that their children deserved married parents. I could see the harm that I would do with the veto. This was a night not about politics, but about the depth of their emotions. That created part of the emotion in the video. I realized how much it hurt for them.

Sanders’ part of the testimony is interesting. It appears that he is there to show that one can be supportive of the community and acting without hatred and yet have your judgment and behavior clouded by prejudice. He sees that his previous view of domestic partnerships as being “good enough” was a prejudiced view even though he was not motivated by hatred.

Info about the case probably isn't on most people's radar given the media circus around the MA special election, but it's conservatives who are making a strong case FOR overturning Prop 8. Andrew Sullivan laid out a sensible conservative view in favor of marriage equality several years ago - wrote a book about it, if i recall. Nice to see that there are still some actual conservatives left among the radically compromised Republican Party. It's not all conturds, yay!

Perp Walk of My Dreams

2010-01-20T01:00:00.004-07:00

i shamelessly lifted this pic from a post over at Elliptical Press. Go on over and tattle on me - and read some of their posts while you're there.

Uganda - the exportation of hate

2010-01-19T11:28:00.004-07:00

For those who are unaware or ill-informed about the proposed Ugandan anti-gay legislation, and the support (tacit and expressed) of some Westerners, here's a good overview.

DRG announces nominees for Bishop

2010-01-19T10:51:00.003-07:00

From the Diocesan website.

The Reverend Ellis Tucker Bowerfind, Rector
St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Alexandria, Virginia

The Reverend James R. Harlan, Rector
Church of the Ascension, Denver, Colorado

The Reverend Jedediah D. Holdorph II, Rector
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Medford, Oregon

The Reverend John S. Nieman, Rector
Holy Trinity Parish, Clemson, South Carolina

The Reverend Dr. Michael Louis Vono, Rector
St. Paul’s Within the Walls, Rome, Italy

The announcement is also posted as Episcopal Life Online, with links to the nominees' parishes.

Prayers requested

2010-01-19T10:47:00.004-07:00

Today Wes' mom's doctor will pay a house call with the results of her latest cancer tests. Prayers for her (Winnie), Wes, and our household are welcomed.

[UPDATE] - the doctor's been & gone, leaving a cautiously good report. Tests indicate that the cancer's backed off a bit rather than continuing its spread. Also, Winnie is once again impressed with her doctor, though she doesn't seem to recall him very well from one visit to the next. We're just amazed at a doctor who does house calls!

A View From Abroad

2009-12-07T12:18:00.005-07:00

From the Guardian (with thanks to MadPriest for the head's up!)

The election of Canon Mary D Glasspool as an Anglican bishop in the [Episcopal] diocese of Los Angeles has been slated by some, praised by others. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, wants Episcopal church leaders to block her appointment, and has warned of "very important implications" if they do not. But to Giles Fraser, "This is another nail in the coffin of Christian homophobia."

Along with Canon Diane Bruce, she has been chosen as a suffragan (assistant) bishop in the Episcopal diocese of Los Angeles. In some ways, Glasspool is an unsurprising choice, a gifted parish priest now in the senior clergy team supporting churches across Maryland. But she is also openly lesbian, and has been in a committed relationship for 21 years. Some believe that makes her unsuitable, at least while opinion is so divided. Others feel that turning her down just because of her sexuality would go against Gospel values and deny the promptings of the holy spirit.

The consecration of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people as bishops, and blessing of same-sex partnerships, have been hotly debated in Anglican circles in recent years. Most provinces disapprove of such relationships, at least publicly, though some – such as the Church of England – rely heavily on LGBT clergy and layworkers. The Episcopal church, with the Anglican Church of Canada, has gone further than most towards including LGBT people at all levels.

Some see this as arrogance, others as bold prophetic leadership. Yet the Episcopal church is more in tune with traditional Anglicanism than many of its critics and supporters would admit.

Anglican thinkers have long recognised that complex issues deserve careful study, drawing on scripture, tradition and reason, and that is possible to disagree yet remain in fellowship. While Anglican churches in different parts of the world have long been autonomous, the "duty of thinking and learning" is a theme that has come up repeatedly at international gatherings. In 1978 the Lambeth conference recognised the need for "deep and dispassionate study of the question of homosexuality, which would take seriously both the teaching of scripture and the results of scientific and medical research", "pastoral concern for those who are homosexual" and "dialogue with them".

Concern for justice and commitment to human rights was another theme, including from the 1980s those of "homosexual orientation". Anglicans also acknowledged that laypeople as well as clergy, "share in the priestly ministry of the church and in responsibility for its work", and each province should "explore the theology of baptism and confirmation in relation to the need to commission the laity for their task in the world".

The Episcopal church faithfully acted on these recommendations. And so, over the decades, it came under increasing pressure from an informed and empowered laity to stop discriminating and hold LGBT people to the same standard as heterosexuals. Meanwhile senior clergy in some other churches such as Nigeria and Uganda ignored such resolutions and instead insisted that the whole communion should submit to their interpretation of the Bible. International divisions deepened, especially after an openly gay man, Gene Robinson, became a US bishop in 2003. Rowan Williams has been publicly highly critical of this and other attempts to include LGBT people while saying next to nothing about repeated attempts to deny them dignity and safety.

Taken aback by the uproar, the Episcopal church accepted a moratorium on further consecrations, but this did not appease their fiercest critics, who kept trying to take over parishes and dioceses in the US, contrary to Anglican tradition. In 2009, a gathering of representatives affirmed that most Episcopalians believed that LGBT people should not be barred from any form of ministry. As well as Glasspool, an openly gay candidate, John L Kirkley, was among the six candidates considered for the two suffragan bishop posts in Los Angeles.

In a sermon earlier this year, celebrating the festival of Pentecost, Glasspool spoke of the outpouring of the holy spirit on Christians of many languages and the importance of "unity in diversity", which "involves listening to one another and learning from each other and honoring all of God's great and gracious creation." However the listening, learning and tolerance of diverse practices and beliefs (albeit grudging at times) which have been customary among Anglicans are anathema to some of the Episcopal church's most vocal opponents.

The 1988 Lambeth conference recognised that "reformation and transformation of unjust systems is an essential element of our biblical hope". Two years later the 1990 the Anglican consultative council urged "every diocese in our communion to consider how through its structures it may encourage its members to see that a true Christian spirituality involves a concern for God's justice in the world, particularly in its own community." It is ironic that, for holding to these and other Anglican principles, the Episcopal church may find itself exiled to the margins of the communion.

Here's what's stuck in my craw about the response of the Archbishop of Canterbury - it took him less than 24 hours to chide a diocese of the Episcopal Church for electing a lesbian to the bishopric, yet we're at 60 days and still waiting for any statement from him regarding the draconian anti-homosexuality bill in Uganda, which is openly supported by the Church of Uganda, another member church of the Anglican Communion. And somehow we're the ones straining the 'bonds of affection' that hold the communion together?

If i remember correctly, didn't Mr. Alighieri outline an especially hellacious location in The Inferno for bishops like Rowan Cantaur? Grrrrr.

The Jealous Wife

2009-11-22T20:51:00.001-07:00

Watch it to the end - or i'll tell her to call YOUR house!

I Want to Have Samantha Bee's Baby!

2009-11-21T08:59:00.000-07:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Law & Order: KSM

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Health Care Crisis

Shatner Does Levi (11/04/09)

2009-11-06T07:45:00.001-07:00

Bill Shatner rocks!

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

For My Friend Phony

2009-10-23T19:51:00.001-06:00

In celebration of the US Senate's passage of the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Bill.

Hate Crimes Protection Extended to LGBT Americans

2009-10-23T09:43:00.002-06:00

From Jim Burroway at Box Turtle Bulletin:

The Senate passed the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act today on a 68-29 vote. The act will now go to President Barack Obama, who has promised to sign the bill into law.

The bill extends federal protections to people who suffer violent crimes because of their sexual orientation or gender identity, protections which are already afforded to people who are victims of violent crimes because of their race, religion, or national origin.

Passage of the hate crimes measure came on a bipartisan vote, with ten Republicans joining 56 Democrats and two independents to pass the bill. One Democrat, Sen. Russ Feingold (D-WI) voted against the measure, which was attached to a defense policy bill. Sen. Feingold said he supported the hate crimes provision but opposes the open-ended military commitment in Afghanistan.

i know not everyone is on board with the need for hate crimes protections, but have you ever noticed that the folks so opposed to them almost never seem to be as vocal about the occurrence of violence based on race, color, religion, creed, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity?

Here's an interesting perspective from Andrew Sullivan, who is opposed to all hate crimes laws.

Priceless - NSFW

2009-10-22T18:00:00.001-06:00

Ring around the capital building

2009-10-18T23:28:00.001-06:00

Ring around the Roundhouse; A pocket full of rice; Marriage Equality for everyone; Now wouldn't that be nice??

White House Opposes Anti-Gay State Referenda

2009-10-17T09:03:00.003-06:00

In response to an inquiry from The Advocate, the White House sent the following statement regarding President Barack Obama’s position on same-sex relationship recognition voter referenda in Maine and Washington.

“The President has long opposed divisive and discriminatory efforts to deny rights and benefits to same-sex couples, and as he said at the Human Rights Campaign dinner, he believes ‘strongly in stopping laws designed to take rights away.’ Also at the dinner, he said he supports, ‘ensuring that committed gay couples have the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple in this country.’"

Maine’s Question 1 asks voters whether to overturn a law that legalized same-sex marriage earlier this year; Washington's Referendum 71 asks voters to affirm or repeal a law passed earlier this year that expands domestic-partnership rights for same-sex couples and some senior couples. Voters in both states will weigh in on the measures November 3.

i want to know when i get to vote to take away some basic civil rights that heterosexuals enjoy? Not that i actually would - it just seems that if Americans get to vote on stripping legal civil rights, heterosexuals shouldn't expect to have special protections from the civil right chopping block. i'm just saying.... ;-)

Banned Pepsi Advert

2009-10-13T12:35:00.001-06:00

The Coffee Will Surely Be Better Than Any Lisa Douglas Ever Made

2009-10-11T09:09:00.006-06:00

SILVER SPRING, Md., Oct. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- What do you get when you combine a former Martha Stewart Vice President, a drag queen turned ad exec and New York Times bestselling author, an estate and farm in upstate New York, a few quirky neighbors and goats, pigs and a llama to boot? In the case of Planet Green, it's their next primetime docu-series Beekman Farm (wt). Laura Michalchyshyn, President and General Manager of Planet Green, announced today that the channel has greenlit the 10 episode series scheduled to premiere in late Spring 2010.

"Beekman Farm is an amusing look into Josh and Brent's very unique relationship, their desire to create a business and to transform their lives. Watching it unfold in real time is hilarious and entertaining," said Michalchyshyn (who recently bought a farm of her own!). "Brent is a quintessential type A personality with a 'my way or the highway' attitude while Josh is a laid back, genteel kind of guy who spends weekends on the farm but is still commuting to work in the city during the week. Their eccentric, extended friends and family dynamic reveals to viewers that trying to live the simple life isn't so simple after all. We can't wait to bring these charismatic new personalities to television."

"They bought the farm. . .literally!" says co-executive producer Fenton Bailey. "From wrapping 14,000 bars organic goat milk soap to organizing a harvest festival to benefit the nearby town of Sharon Springs, Brent and Josh have their work cut out for them, 24/7."

The article in its entirety can be read at:
Planet Green Greenlights Beekman Farm, a Fresh and Fabulous Docu-Series That Puts a Spotlight on Two City Dwellers who Leave Everything Behind To Go Country

Bethesda Dedicates Refurbished Organ from 'Frasier' Star

2009-10-10T21:51:00.005-06:00

From the AP:

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — Emmy and Tony-winning actor David Hyde Pierce is returning to his upstate New York hometown to play a rebuilt organ in the church he attended while growing up.

Pierce and his three siblings donated the funds to rebuild the 1920 Skinner organ at the Bethesda Episcopal Church in Saratoga Springs, 25 miles north of Albany.

Pierce will perform during a service dedicating the instrument on Sunday. He was an assistant to the church organist as a teen.

The rebuilt organ will be named the George and Laura Pierce Gallery Organ in memory of Pierce's parents.

Pierce was a four-time Emmy winner during his 11-year role as Dr. Niles Crane on TV's "Frasier," and he won a Tony in 2007 for his role as a musical-theater-loving detective in the Broadway musical, "Curtains."

President O's HRC Speech

2009-10-10T21:04:00.007-06:00

i did not expect much to happen at the Human Rights Campaign dinner tonight in DC other than a rousing speech from President Obama. And that's exactly what was delivered.

There are many tired & cynical voices coming from the LGBT community that are calling for concrete action rather than more words. i can understand that. How many times have we endured lip service from politicians when they wanted our support, only to find ourselves holding an empty bag of promises once they're in office? But i think the amount of pessimism out in the LGBT blogosphere is overblown and premature. Sure we need to demand our rights and hold politicians' feet to the fire to assure that they deliver on the very basic promises they made when they were courting our votes and campaign volunteerism. But i'm still largely in "wait and see" mode while calling my representatives and participating in lobbying for LGBT equality. If we're going to get real & lasting equality, it's always been up to us.

Two quality bloggers that are pretty spot on in their reactions, insights and criticisms (imo) are Andrew Sullivan and Pam Spaulding.

Here's some of Mr. Sullivan's take:

Look: I didn't expect these issues to be front and center given his appalling inheritance; I know he has many other things on his plate; I didn't expect the moon; I didn't believe he would do any of this immediately; I understand that the real job is for us to do, not him, and that most of the action is in the states. And I remain a strong supporter of him in foreign policy and in the way he is clearly trying to move this country past the ideological divides of the recent past.

But the sad truth is: he is refusing to take any responsibility for his clear refusal to fulfill clear campaign pledges on the core matter of civil rights and has given no substantive, verifiable pledges or deadlines by which he can be held accountable. What that means, I'm afraid, is that this speech was highfalutin bullshit. There were no meaningful commitments within a time certain, not even a commitment to fulfilling them in his first term; just meaningless, feel-good commitments that we have no way of holding him to. Once the dust settles, ask yourself. What did he promise to achieve in the next year? Or two years? Or four years? The answer is: nothing.

HRC, of course, is putting no pressure on him; Joe Solmonese's disgraceful email actually took all pressure off him by saying he'd be happy to wait till 2017 for HRC to hold Obama accountable. HRC are putting pressure, as they always have, on gay people to go to the back of the line and be grateful a president attends their fundraising event. The only word for this is a racket. And if gay people do not rise up and demand change from this organization and stop funding a group whose goal has always been to sell the Democrats to gay people rather than secure civil rights, then they will continue to suffer the discrimination they live under day after day.

Again, i can empathize with the angst and impatience. The remarks about HRC itself are completely accurate.

From Ms. Spaulding:

I have to agree with Sean Bugg, my fellow commentator on the coverage tonight, who made a great point that if you aren't a wonk or activist clued in to the messy politics going on behind the scenes, this speech is a huge home run of support from the President of the United States to a kid out in the sticks who watches it can now feel he is part of the American fabric. In our cynical view of the political system, jaded by the hypocrisy and spinning we see each day, as well as outright lying by pols and advocates, you have to remember how this speech can resonate with non-political LGBTs and straight America. The President actually engaged with a segment of our community in his first term to affirm support for the LGBT community. I doubt you'll see him endure sane, rational criticism from the right on this other than the usual whines from the fringes who already think he's Satan/Hitler/Muslim terrorist, etc. That's progress on its own and it should not be minimized.

She goes on to list very valid criticisms of the speech, and ends with this:

There are two realities, the Beltway reality, a myopic view that is so disconnected from the lives of everyday LGBTs (particularly Ts) that has us setting such low expectations. The reality outside the Beltway doesn't exist, the focus is on cultivating the relationships with power brokers with the secondary focus on obtaining "what's possible" politically, which of course is pretty subjective and dependent on whether there is professional peril in rocking any boats.

The reality outside the Beltway is often too impatient about the logistics of moving legislation in many respects, but the impatience is borne of the peril of losing a job, losing custody of children, or myriad other problems that will not be solved in their Red state any time soon. To see such inaction and promises and action delayed or deferred is disheartening -- and very personal. For activists in this sphere, a speech like this is a reality check of its own -- beautiful, empty prose telling us we are on our own for who knows how long.

Watch the whole speech on C-SPAN. There are two things i'll be listening for: ANY mention of the upcoming vote on marriage equality in Maine, and ANY mention of transgender Americans.

What are YOUR thoughts?

Bill Maher & The Upcoming Million 'Mo March

2009-10-10T13:38:00.002-06:00

From last night's Real Time with Bill Maher:

"Don't Ask Don't Tell - A policy that never made sense to begin with. A policy that says: Here in the Army we're all about honor & trusting the man next to you. Now lie to my face about your sexuality Johnson, or i'll report you behind your back."

"Forget all the good arguments for repeal (of DADT), like, because it's the right thing to do, or because it was promised in the campaign," Maher said. Instead: "Do it because it will make Rush Limbaugh explode like a bag full of meat dropped from a helicopter,"

Watch the whole hilarious segment.

Mummy, the Men in Dresses Thrashed My Arse

2009-10-07T09:19:00.004-06:00

'Drag queen' floors thugs in Swansea, wales, uk street fight
Two thugs who attacked what they thought were a pair of transvestites picked on the wrong men - when their intended victims turned out to be cage fighters on a night out in fancy dress.

Dean Gardener, 19, and Jason Fender, 22, singled out the two men walking along a street in wigs, short skirts and high heels.

Bare-chested Gardener was caught on CCTV confronting one of the men in a pink wig, black skirt and boob tube - then seen swinging a punch, a court heard.

But the other cage fighter, wearing a sparkling black dress and matching long wig, sprang to his friend's help, delivering two lightning-quick punches to the two stunned yobs.

The cage fighters were then seen teetering away in their high heels, stopping only to pick up a clutch bag they dropped during the melee.

Gardener and Fender were left dazed and seen staggering to their feet after their failed attack.

Gentle readers - the Mad Hare never advocates violence, but this just made my morning. i think of it as a moral lesson - don't judge your intended victim by his drag. The arse-whooping in the vid commences around the 1:18 mark.

Greeting Card Emergency Episode 6: Four Coming-Out Cards

2009-10-06T07:26:00.006-06:00

National Coming Out Day is just around the corner (Oct. 11.) While every queer who can afford the trip will probably be in DC for the Equality March, in these tough economic times some of us can only afford to send a greeting card. Enter the Greeting Card Guy. This is a great video - make sure you keep watching until he gets to the fourth card, where it definitely moves from a trivial to a significant moment.

Thanks to MadPriest for posting this video, and to Laura at The Infusion who sent it in to him. Otherwise i'd likely never have found it. Cheers!

Just 'cause

2009-10-03T00:35:00.001-06:00

<a href="http://www.logoonline.com/shows/dyn/big_gay_sketch_show_2/videos.jhtml" target="_blank">Which One? With the Studded Belt?</a>

Which One? With the Studded Belt?

News from the Diocese of the Rio Grande

2009-09-29T10:11:00.005-06:00

This past Saturday, while visiting a friend who lives in the University area, he mentioned his Episcopalian neighbor next door had told him that her Church was "closing" on Sunday and that it was "because the national church was denying that Christ died for our sins." He wanted to know if it were true. Given that the rector of a nearby parish had recently left for Anglican fields more to his liking, and recognizing his similar rhetoric from past St. Mark's on the Mesa newsletters, i asked if she might be referring to St. Mark's, the nearest TEC parish and he confirmed that was the church she attended.

Since i would expect to have heard through other channels if one of the larger parishes in Albuquerque was closing, my assurances were given that her church was highly unlikely to be closing. Entirely false was her claim that the national church denies that Christ died for our sins. Detractors of our Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Shori, have lately been purposefully and deliberately trying to twist a speech she gave at the General Convention in order to make that claim and bolster their desire for schism.

Upon arriving home Saturday evening i checked St. Mark's website, which highlighted no changes that i noticed except that the interim Bishop for our Diocese, +Frey, was now listed as the priest in charge. i assumed +Frey was listed because of last month's departure of St. Mark's rector.

i don't put a great deal of stock in the accuracy of what his neighbor told him but in retrospect she obviously knew something about what was going to occur the following day.

This statement posted by the Diocese Standing Committee today:

Bishop Frey Appointed Priest in Charge of St. Mark's on the Mesa
September 28, 2009 - 10:17 AM

The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande is pleased to announce that the Right Reverend William Frey has accepted a temporary appointment as Priest- in- Charge of St. Mark’s-on-the-Mesa Episcopal Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Bishop Frey will preach and celebrate during the regularly scheduled 8 AM and 10:30 AM services on Sunday, October 4, 2009.

Bishop Frey currently serves as Assisting Bishop for the Diocese. He previously served as Bishop of the Diocese of Colorado from 1972-1990, and Dean of Trinity School for Ministry from 1990 to 1996. Along with his wife Barbara, the Bishop will reside in Albuquerque during his tenure as Priest in Charge. Bishop Frey will serve until a long term Priest-in-Charge can be in place. He will then resume his normal duties in the Diocese.

Bishop Frey will be assisted by the Reverend Beth Noland who has served as deacon at St. Mark’s for four years. For more than 25 years Beth has served both the Diocese and the national church in various capacities. She was ordained to the Holy Order of Deacons in 2001. Beth and her husband Chuck have resided in Albuquerque since 2005.

On Sunday, September 27th, the congregation of St. Mark’s received the news that several clergy and members of the congregation of St. Mark’s had decided to leave St. Mark’s-on-the-Mesa Episcopal Church to form Christ the King Anglican Church. The Rev. Roger Weber will serve as Priest in Charge.

Services at St. Mark’s on- the-Mesa Episcopal Church, 431 Richmond Place, will continue as currently scheduled. An up to date schedule can be found on the church’s website: www.stmarksonthemesa.org. Come and be renewed by this beautiful worship experience at St. Mark’s-on-the-Mesa Episcopal Church, Sunday, October 4th.

Gaydar Gun: Granny Get Your Gun!

2009-09-27T18:26:00.001-06:00

MetaReligion

2009-09-26T08:41:00.002-06:00

i've added a new site to Mad Hare's blog list: MetaReligion

An interfaith blog article aggregator, the site pulls content from across the spectrum of beliefs, from Atheists to Unitarians, with the goal of "bring[ing] together the best of religious, spiritual and interfaith blogging."

Their etiquette statement:

This is a place for discussing different religious beliefs and practices.

It is intended for friendly discussion to enable people to learn about religions other than their own. It is not for polemics or proselytising.

The best way to achieve this is to try, where possible,to confine yourself to explaining your own religion and beliefs (or lack of them). One of the main things to be avoided is telling other people what they believe, since they can speak for themselves and explain their own beliefs.

Example: Underestimating Stupidity

2009-09-23T08:19:00.001-06:00

Kirk Cameron is Douchetastic

2009-09-22T11:23:00.004-06:00

If you've not heard of has-been Kirk Cameron's latest bright idea for evangelism, this hella cool lady lays it out for you.

Frisbee Dog - Whiplash the Jack Russell Terrier

2009-09-22T10:30:00.001-06:00

This morning my JRT, Flapjack, demanded to watch some YouTube videos. This was was by far his favorite today.

President Obama: Warm Wishes for Rosh Hashanah

2009-09-18T08:51:00.002-06:00

A classy and articulate interfaith message. How refreshing coming from a US President.

Back in Black

2009-09-17T10:16:00.000-06:00

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart

Mon - Thurs 11p / 10c

Back in Black - Angry Outbursts

www.thedailyshow.com

Daily Show
Full Episodes

Political Humor

Healthcare Protests

Sinead's Hand

2009-09-17T01:09:00.002-06:00

This Irish commercial makes it clear just how foolish it is to make marriage equality for LGBTs a ballot issue.

More On (moron, get it?) Saturday's Rightie Temper Tantrum

2009-09-16T11:57:00.002-06:00

You really, really must check out this blog post from The Wild Wild Left. Seriously. This woman has more cojones than an entire brothel full of Republican Senators & Congressmen. But be forewarned, she reports the vitriolic rhethoric of teabagging protesters sans editing.

A foretaste:

We were at the widest part of the valley in which the pond lay, where moving through the crowd was impossible, as they swooned at the stage across the water. I looked down at Jake and said, "We'll cut around the back here, this is pointless." I cut up toward the alleyway behind the buildings on Main Street and made our way to the eastern side. I felt like breaking one of the flag-wavers poles and staking them, letting the blood spatter the "Muslim Terrorist wants to kill your Gramma" signs. I knew 10 would rise where one had fallen. This was now looking like a Ralph Steadman painting of a bad acid trip by Hunter S Thompson. The other side was mostly greedy yuppies, skinhead racists and terrified old people. We were now on the primo turf, with the imported astroturfers. If you wanted to picture nazi brownshirters, this was your image. They were shoulder to shoulder creaming themselves in a mass hysteria delusion of having again won something. There was no way through.

Yes, I had seen the buses travel down Grand River all day, through the windows of my workplace, and knew they had imported astro-turf to call grass roots. I had just never imagined there were so MANY of the stooopid. So many of them. These were the hard core, indoctrinating my neighbors into what may well become a civil war. Indoctrinated into believing lies, calling for Obama's impeachment. Row upon row of pre-printed signs, not hand scrawl, with Obama as the Joker, Obama as a Muslim, Kill the Bill, so many I cannot even name them all.

I couldn't help but think it only a matter of being poor losers. This is what happens to a generation of spoiled children, who have gotten a trophy for every event, made every team, and had 8 years of getting their way.

This was more than Racism. This was a National Tantrum of the Neo-cons. They could not stand that they LOST. This was a tantrum embodied and exhorted by the Becks and Limbaughs, whose names they listed as "Next President" or "Real Americans."

This was finely crafted machine, employed and created by the Right Think Tanks to try and unify their base, the only way they knew how: Fear and Loathing. They despise losing, and will do anything to win. Beckclone country. Employees of the think tanks.

The Rev. Frank Wade Speaks Sensibly

2009-09-16T09:06:00.004-06:00

In the most recent General Convention of the Episcopal Church our House of Bishops and House of Deputies passed many resolutions, among them resolution D025, which Rev. Wade discusses. As usual, minor tempests in the Anglican teapot have arisen in the aftermath of the Convention.

Among those who do not consider themselves to be part of the progressive majority in our Church there continues to exist a loudly vocal minority who believe D025 (and other actions taken at GenCon) is just another indication of how far our Church has gone astray. Since GenCon, the outcry of this minority within the conservatives' rank has been even more shrill than ever, as they add it to the pile of false justicification they make for schism and absconding with the silver.

In this video, the good Rev. Wade sensibly outlines what D025 is and the context we find our Church in, as D025 relates to the rest of the Worldwide Anglican Communion.

The Rev. Wade Frank Wade has served as an Episcopal priest for almost 40 years. The 2009 General Convention of the Episcopal Church was his twelfth as a deputy, and his second as Chaplain to the House of Deputies. No one else has ever served in that role twice. He has written several books, including The Art of Being Together: Common Sense About Life Long Relationships (available from Forward Movement Press).

The Reverend Boy Speaks Up & Odds-n-Ends

2009-09-14T13:35:00.010-06:00

It's been five months since he last posted, but my favorite NYC aspirant for Holy Orders, The Reverend Boy, is back to blogging. Yay!

Closer to home, my friend (and our parish's lead Verger) Randy was recently given a 'go-ahead' to explore the next steps in fulfilling his call to the diaconate. That wonderful news for Randy and those supporting his commitment to ministry!

Yesterday was 'Parish Life Sunday' at St. Michael & All Angels, a day in which the many various ministries of our parish are out and about, sharing news and looking for those interested in adding their own efforts to existing parish programs. i took a deep breath and added my name to the 'Servants of Worship' list as willing to volunteer as a lector and a new pair of hands for the Altar Guild. Why do i have the feeling that Randy's going to assign me to Altar Guild for the 7:30am Sunday service? ;-) Time for another deep breath.

Give me an open mind, O God, a mind ready to receive and to welcome such new light of knowledge as it is thy will to reveal to me. Let not the past ever be so dear to me as to set a limit to the future. Give me courage to change my mind, when that is needed. Let me be tolerant to the thoughts of others and hospitable to such light as may come to me through them. Amen.

by John Baillie, published in the New Altar Guild Book by Barbara Gent and Betty Sturges

The Moron Militia

2009-09-14T13:02:00.005-06:00

Typically i'm sympathetic to underdogs and to minorities. However, the 50K who gathered in DC over the weekend for a festival celebrating psychological projection garner no compassion from me. It's hard to see Christ in folks who promote lies and hatred through their children:

Here's the sign he was holding:

Ellipses over at The Elliptical Press has posted a video of another ignorant attendee explaining his perspective.

Their delusions are tragic since in many cases i suspect they would be direct beneficiaries of the liberal policies they falsely malign. Instead they embrace the cynical & mendacious rhetoric of those who seek to capitalize on their fears and gullibility.

Letterman - Breyer's Ice Cream for Heterosexuals

2009-09-14T10:52:00.001-06:00

Looking at Double Standards

2009-09-07T12:03:00.005-06:00

Ever notice that when a liberal reasonably criticizes a conservative policy stance there are loud cries from the right about "attacking" Republicans, but when someone from the right rabidly attacks a liberal policy stance they're just criticizing?

Another reason to love where i live

2009-09-07T11:41:00.003-06:00

Yesterday when returning home around sunset after going to the movies i passed a couple by our house out for an evening walk...with their goat. i don't know if it was a billy or nanny goat, but it wasn't on a leash and was walking slightly behind its humans with a very dignified and happy look on its face. Picture this against a backdrop of the Sandia Mountains reflecting a gorgeous sunset. Just charming!

For the love of...sectarianism?

2009-09-05T09:30:00.001-06:00

From Ship of Fools:

I was walking across a bridge one day, and I saw a man standing on the edge, about to jump. I ran over and said: "Stop. Don't do it."

"Why shouldn't I?" he asked.

"Well, there's so much to live for!"

"Like what?"

"Are you religious?"

He said, "Yes."

I said, "Me too. Are you Christian or Buddhist?"

"Christian."

"Me too. Are you Catholic or Protestant?"

"Protestant."

"Me too. Are you Episcopalian or Baptist?"

"Baptist."

"Wow. Me too. Are you Baptist Church of God or Baptist Church of the Lord?"

"Baptist Church of God."

"Me too. Are you original Baptist Church of God, or are you Reformed Baptist Church of God?"

"Reformed Baptist Church of God."

"Me too. Are you Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1879, or Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915?"

He said: "Reformed Baptist Church of God, Reformation of 1915."

I said: "Die, heretic scum," and pushed him off.

Who would Jesus flip off?

2009-09-05T06:41:00.001-06:00

Shamelessly lifted from MadPriest:

A man was being tailgated by a stressed-out woman on a busy boulevard. Suddenly, the light turned yellow just in front of him. He did the right thing, stopping at the crosswalk, even though he could have beaten the red light by accelerating through the intersection.

The tailgating woman was furious and honked her horn, screaming in frustration, as she missed her chance to get through the intersection, dropping her cell phone and makeup.

As she was still in mid-rant, she heard a tap on her window and looked up into the face of a very serious police officer. The officer ordered her to exit her car with her hands up.

He took her to the police station where she was searched, fingerprinted, photographed, and placed in a holding cell. After a couple of hours, a policeman approached the cell and opened the door. She was escorted back to the booking desk, where the arresting officer was waiting with her personal effects.

He said, "I'm very sorry for this mistake. You see, I pulled up behind your car while you were blowing your horn, flipping off the guy in front of you, and cussing a blue streak at him.

"I noticed the 'What Would Jesus Do' bumper sticker, the 'Choose Life' license plate holder, the 'Follow Me to Sunday-School' bumper sticker, and the chrome-plated Christian fish emblem on the trunk.

"Naturally...I assumed you had stolen the car."

Comparing Apples to Oranges: an Anglican Primer

2009-09-01T10:37:00.003-06:00

The Reverend Canon Mark Harris, an Episcopal Priest in Delaware and member of the Executive Council of the Episcopal Church, dissects how faithful Anglicans/Episcopalians of a liberal bent are pigeonholed by some of our brothers & sisters from the ecclesial right.

You know how it works: Its the old compare apples to oranges trick. Only the trick is being played on us.

It starts by some one, say Bishop Nazir-Ali, in a Guardian article, contending that "... there’s a double jeopardy – on the one hand an aggressive secularism that seeks to undermine the traditional principles because it has its own project to foster. On the other is the extremist ideology of radical Islam, which moderate Muslims are also concerned about." He seems so, so...English. A worried cleric, an articulate and oh, so classy way about him. Worried about aggressive secularism and radical Islam. Sounds worrisome.

Very quickly the "aggressive secularism" gets identified with certain liberal forces in Anglicanism. "...he said he would continue to support them (orthodox Anglicans) as they try to stop more churches “capitulating” to modern culture by permitting homosexual clergy or blessing same-sex unions.

“We now have people in the US but not only there who believe things about God, about salvation, about marriage and about human sexuality that seem to be another religion."

So suddenly, it is not aggressive secularism, but regular paid up Anglicans who have capitulated to modern culture (i.e. secularism) and are actually "another religion."

So there we have it: liberal Anglicans are another religion, Islam is another religion. The two are identified as the dual horrors to be dealt with. (Except maybe by moderate Islam, which might be tolerated, but just). A pox on them both.

True Christians and True Anglicans are against those awful religions, Anglicans in cultural captivity and Muslims in radical captivity. Anybody alarmed by radical terrorism claiming Islam as their base can now extend their fear quotient to include liberal Anglicanism which then becomes the terrorism for the so called "orthodox."

Of course the logic is rot.

Amen, brother.

Read the rest of the article at Preludium, the Rev. Canon Harris' blog.

PunkMonk

2009-08-31T07:39:00.006-06:00

i really admire and respect people who manage to live lives of great integrity. As the company i've managed and worked for over the past 13 years goes out of business, self-reflection on the actions i've taken as a part of my role there are inevitable. Many times i was called upon to be a mediator, referee, and risk manager for the agency. Now that a workplace that could easily and frequently become emotionally toxic and ethically challenging will soon be a thing of the past, i'm left looking at my tattered idealism and honor. All in all i think the good i managed to do outweighs the times when i faced quandaries of honor. i stayed for all those years because it was where i felt i was supposed to be. Now that chapter is reaching its conclusion.

Here's a fellow whom i've admired for a while now. In general, i respect and admire many who take religious vows. It's a life i've felt drawn to at times, though it always seems that the circumstances of my life draw me elsewhere. Anyway, i hope you enjoy virtually meeting this engaging monk, Br. Karekin, a/k/a the PunkMonk.

Welcome, O wanderer and friend! If you have a dissident spirit, you may find a place here. My name is Brother Karekin, aka the PunkMonk, and I am an Episcopal friar, writer, political activist, and proud social deviant resident in San Francisco. I live here with my husband Anthony (in spite of Proposition 8). I am a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory which I humbly serve as their Minister Provincial for Province 8 which includes the West Coast. I have been a religious for 15 years, after having come to the realization that my life as an angry, punk, street kid were serving no one at all. I am deeply Christian, and unapologetically liberal and fondly remember the days when that was not a dirty thing to say.

Most people, after reading that first paragraph, grok that I am not a celibate religious. For those that didn't, well there you are. Our vow of Chastity can entail, but is not limited to, celibacy. While I have deep admiration for those of my brothers and sisters who have chosen the celibate life, I believe that sexuality when rightly enjoyed is also deeply sacred. And I am deeply appreciative of its variety in expression and practice. I am proud to be a Christian with a decidedly positive and expansive view of human sexuality. I provide Spiritual Direction for individuals in the SF Bay Area, working particularly with members of the transgendered community. While I am not transgender, I have personally struggled with my own Angels over gender expression and have a deep affinity/admiration/compassion for individuals who wrestle with gender identity and have run the risk of alternative expression.

Update to my blog list

2009-08-31T07:26:00.004-06:00

"Leave It Lay Where Jesus Flang It" is a blog that i've recently found, courtesy of some other blogs i read, which is penned by a Rector living in Virginia.

Born Berkeley California. As was my daddy, his daddy and his daddy and his daddy. His daddy came via Brazil from Cornwall, England. Mine digger. Gold rusher. I'm an Episcopal priest, wanna be bagpipe player, sometime poet. My beloved is Joel (formerly Br. Joel, SSF). Loved him since the summer of '73. Still do. Passionately. My dogs are the only reason I'm going to heaven.

i'd be tempted to include LILWJFI on my blog list for the name alone, but it's going on the list because of posts like this. A very warm welcome to the Rev. Margaret!

Mad Hare Speaks (been a while...)

2009-08-29T20:26:00.002-06:00

PB+K

2009-08-28T08:15:00.007-06:00

The Presiding Bishop (PB) of the Episcopal Church in the USA, the Most Reverend Katharine Jefferts Shori, delivered a sermon at the start of last month's General Convention which, predictably, is drawing criticism from some quarters. For the first female Presiding Bishop (Archbishop is the equivalent in other churches)in the Worldwide Anglican Communion, ++Katharine is certainly no stranger to blow-back. Perhaps her previous career as a marine biologist and the squabbles of academia figure in to the graciousness with which she engages her critics.

Here's her latest effort to continue the conversation with not only her supporters, but also her detractors (WARNING - Christian theological & doctrinal references ahead!):

I always am delighted when people listen to what I say in a sermon or address. Sometimes I am surprised by what they hear.

In my opening address at General Convention, I spoke about the "great Western heresy" of individualism (see the full text here). There have been varied reactions from people who weren't there, who heard or read an isolated comment without the context. Apparently I wasn't clear!

Individualism (the understanding that the interests and independence of the individual necessarily trump the interests of others as well as principles of interdependence) is basically unbiblical and unchristian.

The spiritual journey, at least in the Judeo-Christian tradition, is about holy living in community. When Jesus was asked to summarize the Torah, he said, "love God and love your neighbor as yourself." That means our task is to be in relationship with God and with our neighbors. If salvation is understood only as "getting right with God" without considering "getting right with (all) our neighbors," then we've got a heresy (an unorthodox belief) on our hands.

The theme of our General Convention, ubuntu, was chosen intentionally to focus on this. Often translated from its original African dialects as "I am because we are," ubuntu has significant biblical connections and warrant. The Hebrew prophets save their strongest denunciation for those who claim to be worshiping correctly but ignore injustice done to their neighbors (e.g., Amos 5:21-24), and Jesus insists that those who will enter the kingdom are the ones who have cared for neighbor by feeding, watering, clothing, housing, healing and visiting "the least of these" (Matt 25:31-46).

In my address, I went on to say that sometimes this belief that salvation only depends on getting right with God is reduced to saying a simple formula about Jesus. Jesus is quite explicit in his rejection of simple formulas: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven" (Matt 7:21).

He is repeatedly insistent that right relationship depends on loving neighbors – for example, "those who say, ‘I love God,' and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen" (1John 4:20). The Epistles repeatedly enjoin the followers of Jesus to "give evidence of the hope within you" (1Pet 3:15ff), that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26), that our judgment depends on care for brother and sister (Rom 14:10-12) and that we eat our own destruction if we take Communion without having regard for the rest of the community (1Cor 11:27-34).

Salvation depends on love of God and our relationship with Jesus, and we give evidence of our relationship with God in how we treat our neighbors, nearby and far away. Salvation is a gift from God, not something we can earn by our works, but neither is salvation assured by words alone.

Salvation cannot be complete, in an eternal and eschatological sense, until the whole of creation is restored to right relationship. That is what we mean when we proclaim in the catechism that "the mission of the church is to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ" and that Christian hope is to "live with confidence in newness and fullness of life and to await the coming of Christ in glory and the completion of God's purpose for the world." We anticipate the restoration of all creation to right relationship, and we proclaim that Jesus' life, death and resurrection made that possible in a new way.

At the same time, salvation in the sense of cosmic reconciliation is a mystery. It's hard to pin down or talk about. It is ultimately the gift of a good and gracious God, not the product of our incessant striving. It is about healing and wholeness and holiness, the fruit of being more than doing. Just like another image we use to speak about restored relationship, the reign of God, salvation is happening all the time, all around us. Where do you see evidence?

I Kissed A Boy by Boy Interrupted - Matt and Liam

2009-08-27T23:50:00.001-06:00

I've had the "Girl" version of this song stuck in my head for the past two days - but i like this one better!

God is Tryin' to Tell You Something...

2009-08-21T23:24:00.003-06:00

Partnered Gay Lutherans Can Be Pastors
Timothy Kincaid @ Box Turtle Bulletin
August 21st, 2009

Capping a week in which the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America took strongly affirmative stances in welcoming and supporting gay Christians, the Lutherans have now voted to allow gay and lesbian ministers in lifelong monogamous same-gender relationships to serve.

First the assembly voted to keep today’s controversial vote a simple majority, rather than a 2/3 supermajority. Then they affirmed, by a 2/3 vote, a new statement on sexuality.

Today the denomination addressed the four step process outlined by their task-force, though the ordering has shifted to 3, 1, 2, 4:

Step three asks this church whether, in the future implementation of these commitments, it will make decisions so that all in this church bear the burdens of the other, and respect the bound consciences of all.

This step was confirmed 771 - 230.

Step one asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding ways to allow congregations that choose to do so to recognize, support and hold publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships.

This step was confirmed 619 - 402.

Step two asks the assembly whether, in principle, this church is committed to finding a way for people in such publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same-gender relationships to serve as professional leaders of this church.

This step was confirmed 559 - 451. It is official. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in American will accept as ministers - for those churches who so desire - gays and lesbians with partners.

Step four proposes the specifics of how this church can move toward change in a way that respects the bound consciences of all.

The details of this step are yet to be announced.

ELCA Approves Move Toward Openess on Homosexuality - Tornado threatens

2009-08-19T22:27:00.004-06:00

Today at their 2009 Churchwide Assembly, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America took a step forward in acknowledging some realities about human sexuality. From the AP:

MINNEAPOLIS — Leaders of the country's largest Lutheran denomination have agreed to disagree on homosexuality, endorsing an official statement on human sexuality that says there's room in the church for differing views on an issue that's divided other religious groups.

Delegates to the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's nationwide assembly in Minneapolis on Wednesday approved a "social statement on human sexuality." The vote was a prelude to a bigger debate Friday, when delegates will tackle a proposal that would allow individual ELCA congregations to hire people in committed same-sex relationships as clergy.

Excerpts from "Human Sexuality: Gift & Trust", as the statement is titled:

"This social statement addresses the question: how do we understand human sexuality within the context of Jesus' invitation to love God and love our neighbor?"

___

"We in the ELCA recognize that many of our sisters and brothers in same-gender relationships sincerely desire the support of other Christians for living faithfully in all aspects of their lives, including their sexual fidelity. In response, we have drawn deeply on our Lutheran theological heritage and Scripture. This has led, however, to differing and conscience-bound understandings about the place of such relationships within the Christian community. We have come to various conclusions concering how to regard lifelong, monogamous same-gender relationships, including whether and how to publicly recognize their lifelong commitments."

___

"This church also acknowledges that consensus does not exist concerning how to regard same-gender committed relationships, even after many years of thoughtful, respectful, and faithful study and conversation. We do not have agreement on whether this church should honor these relationships, uplift, shelter and protect them, or on precisely how it is appropriate to do so."

"Regarding our life together as we live with disagreement, the people in this church will continue to accompany one another in study, prayer, discernment, pastoral care, and mutual respect."

Some media websites are reporting that while the assembly was debating passage of the statement, a tornado threatened outside. Well, there will certainly be another one threatening on Friday if they approve LGBT clergy who are in committed same-sex partnerships or marriages. A tornado in the ecclesiastical world, i mean. i like to think of it as the Holy Spirit blowing away cobwebs from the hearts of idolatrous, judgmental moralists.

Certainly it's a step in the right direction, toward fulfilling the Christ's Great Commandment.

Faith to Move the LGBT Community

2009-08-19T22:15:00.002-06:00

A Faith Communities Gathering to discuss moving lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender civil rights forward in New Mexico.

This gathering is to build on the work of the Religious Alliance for Inclusion and Non-Discrimination (R.A.I.N). The faith community has been a vocal part of the national debate over equal rights for persons who are LGBT.

Please join us to hear stories from community members and faith leaders as we continue to advocate for LGBT civil rights.

Thursday - September 10, 2009
7:00 to 9:00 PM
St. Michael's and All Angels Episcopal Church [yep, that's the parish i belong to!]
601 Montaño Rd., NW
Albuquerque

Barney Frank Confronts Woman At Townhall Comparing Obama To Hitler

2009-08-19T10:06:00.001-06:00

Providing an example of how best to respond to the nutters.

Those who are persecuted (as opposed to those who seek political capital)

2009-08-18T14:20:00.002-06:00

In the US, a majority of citizens identify themselves as Christians more than any other faith. That's one of the reasons i feel like screaming when i read or hear people from the religious right claiming they're being victimized when told that they can't force their beliefs on everyone else, or when they say their beliefs aren't being properly respected because of things like hate crimes legislation, women's reproductive rights, etc. They're NOT victims - they're just whiny brats who want to reserve power for their own interests.

In Sri Lanka, they can tell you about true victimization of Christians.

...attackers on July 28 set fire to an Assemblies of God church in Norachcholai, Puttlam district, destroying the building. The pastor received frantic calls from neighbors at about 8:45 p.m. reporting that the building was in flames, echoing a similar arson attack almost a year ago that destroyed the original building on the site.

Church members have registered a complaint with police, but at press time no arrests had been made.

When a pastor of a Foursquare Gospel church and his wife visited a church member in Radawana village, Gampaha district during the third week of July, a 50-strong mob gathered at the door and shouted that they would not tolerate any further Christian activity in the village, NCEASL reported. The mob then prevented the couple from leaving the house, hit the pastor with a rod and threw a bucket of cow dung at him.

The disturbance continued for two hours before police finally answered repeated requests for assistance and arrived at the house, arresting three people who were later released.

Earlier, on June 28, a mob consisting of more than 100 people, including Buddhist monks, surrounded the home of a female pastor of another Foursquare Gospel church in the village, according to the NCEASL. At the time the pastor, whose name was withheld for security reasons, and her husband were away. Their 13-year-old daughter watched helplessly as the mob broke in, shouted insults and destroyed chairs and other furniture.

Hearing that their home was under attack, the parents rushed to get police help, but the mob had dispersed by the time officers arrived. Police called the pastor into the Gampaha police station for questioning on July 9 and July 11; on the second occasion, protestors surrounded her and other pastors who accompanied her, spitting on them and initially preventing them from entering the police station.

The full article contains reports of other attacks.

‘Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.' -Matthew 5:10

A Life Well Lived

2009-08-07T09:56:00.014-06:00

Last night around 9pm EST my Aunt Ginny (Virginia Iola Trexel, nee Smith) passed away peacefully with family attending her hospital bedside. Aunt Ginny is one of those people who've always been there, usually in the background of my life, and this morning i find myself deeply and quietly affected by her passing.

Aunt Ginny was a small woman with a golden heart. She took care of my father's parents until their deaths, witnessed the untimely deaths of two of her siblings (my Uncle Bernie & Aunt Doris) and that of her beloved husband, Uncle Charlie, who through he was also short in stature had a towering character and was much loved & respected by all.

She worked for years as the secretary for a small elementary school and lived for even longer in an old farmhouse which my family referred to as "The Ranch". Situated in an idyllic & fertile hollow in Western Pennsylvania, she always delighted in the number of deer that would frequent the property. A decade or so ago, she sold the ranch and settled in the seniors' community where my parents and other relatives eventually moved.

Aunt Ginny suffered with arthritis for decades but despite the daily pain & stiffness she never seemed to let it slow her down. Until the inoperable aneurysm she's lived with for years began to deteriorate a few weeks ago, she was up early every day, made her own bed, straightened her small apartment in the assisted living facility, and ALWAYS pressed her own pants daily, because, as she so frequently said, "I like a nice crease in my slacks." She would zip around with her walker (it was a challenge to keep up with her) and woe to the person who got in her way. First they'd hear her cheerily calling out, "Beep! Beep!" Then, if they didn't move out of her way fast enough, they were likely to hear a rather more pointed comment.

Some of my previous writing includes one of my fondest memories of Aunt Ginny, so i'll just repost the relevant passage here:

I was born into a devoutly Christian family in the early 1960s. In fact, there’s a strong heritage of Methodism in both my parent’s families. On my mother’s side, there are blood ties into the Whitefield [also spelled Whitfield, which is how both spellings are pronounced] family, which also produced one of the denomination’s early leaders, George Whitefield, as well as many widely known (in their day) Methodist ‘Hymnsingers’. Just a 10 minute walk from my childhood home was a home that was built around the log cabin which, starting in the 18th century, served as a base for the region’s Methodist circuit preachers. Aunt Ginny (my Dad’s sister) lived there with my Uncle Charlie.

I vividly recall playing dress up as a young child, donning another aunt’s cast-off dress, hat, gloves, shoes & purse then walking down the gravel lane to Aunt Ginny’s house. By the time I arrived, she had laid out a lovely tea service for the two of us. It floors me now to think that there I was, a sissyboy in drag, having tea with my loving & accommodating Aunt, right where John Wesley or his contemporaries once preached!

Aunt Ginny - rest in peace and rise in glory. i love you.

Admission of violations...of their own volition

2009-08-06T15:44:00.001-06:00

TABC report finds 19 policy violations by agents, supervisor in Rainbow Lounge raid
August 6th, 2009

Two agents and a sergeant from the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission committed a total of 19 policy violations related to a raid on the Rainbow Lounge in Fort Worth, according to an internal affairs investigation report released by the agency Thursday morning.

Agent Christopher Aller committed eight violations, Agent trainee Jason Chapman committed seven violations, and Sgt. Terry Parsons committed four violations, the report says.

Violations committed by the two agents include participating in a joint operation with Fort Worth police without approval from a supervisor; failing to submit a complaint card against the Rainbow Lounge; conducting bar inspections in unapproved attire; failing to follow bar inspection procedures; failing to report the use of force and injuries involving Chad Gibson, a Rainbow Lounge patron who sustained serious head injuries; and disrupting business during a bar inspection.

More at The Dallas Voice.

Atta Boy!

2009-08-04T11:54:00.001-06:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Gotta Move!

2009-08-04T10:43:00.001-06:00

Word to my readers (both of you.) Things have been hectic at Casa Conejo the past few days 'cause we're pulling up stakes and moving to a nearby rental house. We plan to be there until the addition/remodel is completed on the homestead. Today, it's a regular Discordian bacchanal. So don't expect much in the way of posting until the dust settles on this end.

NOM seeks 2M4M

2009-07-29T10:49:00.006-06:00

The 'National Organization for [heterosexual - ED.] Marriage", a/k/a NOM, has a new marketing campaign in their never-ending tilting with the windmill of marriage equality. What they no doubt think of as clever is fortunately just as hilarious as the numbskull tax protesters who call themselves "Teabaggers".

John Aravosis writes at AmericaBlog:

The new anti-gay initiative is called "Two Million for Marriage," and the organizers are calling it "2M4M" for short. Seriously. Now, anybody who's gay, or who has ever read a personal ad, knows that M4M is the call-sign for men seeking other men (and not for spiritual guidance). It's also the name given to chat rooms devoted to gay men hooking up for sex.

Andy Cobb has posted a YouTube vid which illustrates the unintentional farce that is NOM's new choice in campaign logo:

World Outgames Bombing

2009-07-29T10:35:00.001-06:00

The camaraderie of the Outgames was temporarily broken this afternoon when unknown assailants tossed two explosive devices onto the track during the start of a relay. One runner who was in a starting position near the explosions sustained a minor injury to his hand and was treated at the scene by paramedics. The large crowd of athletes and spectators was stunned by what can only be described as a hate crime attack. Competition resumed after consulting with the athletes who were determined not to let this incident succeed in stopping the Outgames. Police were called to the scene and were searching the premises when two more devices exploded on the track. Shortly thereafter the police arrested a suspect who was seen fleeing from a nearby church tower where it is believed the attack was launched. Police are still searching for a second suspect.

More info from Outsports.

Soylent Green Is People!!!!

2009-07-29T10:27:00.002-06:00

As a society, do we not have some kind of expectations for responsible speech which at least nods toward some honesty? Or are we merely a tabloid society that just eagerly laps up what our favorite hate-mongering demagogue sets in front of us?

Just Priceless

2009-07-29T10:05:00.001-06:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Gayest Infomercial Ever

2009-07-29T09:53:00.001-06:00

The Fox's Engraved Invite To The Henhouse?

2009-07-28T10:25:00.005-06:00

This morning i awoke to find numerous news stories reporting that the Senate Finance Committee has moved closer to health care reform that does not require large employers to offer health insurance and that does not include a public option. Recent polls have indicated that better than 65% of Americans polled support a public option.

Today's news reports just made my stomach turn especially since Senator Jeff Bingaman, one of my elected representatives, is reportedly a member of the bipartisan group of six who "edged closer Monday to a health care compromise that omits a requirement for businesses to offer coverage to their workers and lacks a government insurance option that President Barack Obama favors, according to numerous officials."

i immediately surfed over to Sen. Bingaman's website. It contains the following:

With my strong support, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee approved a bill which contains a robust public option described below:

•Run by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The Secretary of HHS would have the authority to negotiate provider payment rates that are no more than the local average private rates, which would help control costs. The government would provide funding for the first three months of the plan in order to get it up and running and make the public option available in all parts of the country. The funding would be repaid once the public option began operating.
•Public option would be one of the Gateway choices. The public option would be available to all Americans alongside private insurance options within the newly established health insurance “Gateways.” .
•States would help tailor a public plan to their needs. Each state would create an Advisory Council to recommend strategies for quality improvement and affordability. This would allow states to implement strategies that would provide efficient, affordable care to their residents.
•Participation would be purely voluntary; Americans would have the choice of participating in the public option but there would be no obligation to do so.

Wes just called Bingaman's office in D.C. and was told by a staffer that the news reports are wrong about our good Senator edging away from a public option. So who to believe, 'cause i don't trust any of the bastards, either in media or in the Senate.

Here's an interesting perspective from Jed Lewison over at the Daily Kos:

The Real Supermajority

So check this out:

•The 40 Republican senators currently in the Senate, all of whom are expected to filibuster a public option, received 44.2 million votes in their elections.
•The 5 Democrats (Conrad, Baucus, Lincoln, Landrieu, and Nelson) who seem most likely to filibuster health care reform including a public option received 2.5 million votes in their elections.
•The remaining 55 Senators (53 Dems plus Lieberman and Sanders), all of whom would likely vote for cloture on a reform plan including a public option, received 79.8 million votes (this includes votes cast for the Democratic predecessors in CO, NY, IL, and DE).
To recap:

•Votes for seats held by GOP filibuster supporters: 44.2 million
•Votes for seats held by Dems who may filibuster: 2.5 million
•Votes for seats held by Dems who would support cloture: 79.8 million
Obviously, there's a ton of ways you can slice numbers, but this analysis yields a fairly salient factoid: nearly twice as many people voted for senators likely to support a cloture motion than voted for a senator who is likely to thwart health care reform with a filibuster.

i don't see how any of the health care reform being debated can be effective without a public option, preferably one that becomes available no later than January 1, 2010. If you support REAL health care reform, head over to citizensforapublicoption.com, a joint project of Senators Dick Durbin, Patrick Leahy, and Chuck Schumer. i've signed their petition, and i strongly urge you to do the same.