Howard Dean, Democratic Party Chair

"The way I hope to deal with that problem, is not to abandon our core principles, but talk about them in a different way," he said. Democrats are not pro-abortion, but "we are the party in favor of allowing women to make up their own minds about their health care," Dean, a physician, said. Democrats are not for gay marriage, but "we are the party that has always believed in equal rights under the law for all people," he said. "We are the party of moral values," Dean said. "There is nothing moral about cutting 300 million dollars that is used to feed starving children."

I'm so glad he's the new chair of the Democratic party. Socially liberal and fiscally responsible... exactly what I want in a politician.

It's a shame the media made every effort to paint him as a psycho. I hate the media.... especially since they somehow made people think that he lost the primaries because of "the scream", even though "the scream" happened after losing Iowa (the first primary). Kerry won Iowa, and as tradition goes with Iowa, he won the nomination too.

GO DEAN.

Indiana Gay Marriage Amendment Counter-Rally

It's basically a counter-protest about the gay marriage amendment (SJR7) for Indiana.

Here's a message from Judy Egbert, Muncie's PFLAG (Parents, Family, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays) organizer:

Hello,

Here is the latest about the March 8 rally to counter the oppressive Marriage Amendment momentum. Plan forming in the Ball State community is that a carpool will leave from Circle Drive , by North Quad, 9:30 am on the 8th . A few people have already contacted saying they plan to go. I need to hear back asap from other people who might want to go and can either offer or need a ride. Contact: Judi Egbert, jegbert@bsu.edu.

Please note IMPORTANT information below about guidelines for the rally. These are critical for several reasons. Also, flyers should arrive soon, so let me know if you can help distribute them, or if you live in non-Muncie or non-Indy communities and can get them out there. It looks like we are doing ok in Richmond area.

Just passing the word on for those that might be interested.

I think it's retarded that they want to pass this amendment even though Indiana law already says one man and one woman. I guess that wasn't enough though... they want to make sure no stone is left unturned. We can't have all these gays and lesbians wanting equal rights. eww! that's like saying it's okay for people to marry animals!!!11eleven

In addition to addressing marriage/civil unions, SJR7 includes two other bills that would keep unmarried persons from adopting and fostering children and another bill would keep public universities from offering domestic partner benefits.

For the record, Ball State University currently offers domestic partner benefits.

More info:
http://www.stopthebigots.org
http://www.incoalition.org/marriage_amendment_fact_sheet.php

Bush Budget Cuts

There are 154 programs that Bush wants to eliminate or cut in his 2006 budget proposal. His budget would cut 99 programs altogether and make major reductions in budgets for 55 others.

TERMINATED:

Agriculture Department

AMS Biotechnology Program

Forest Service Economic Action Program

High Cost Energy Grants

( Read more... )

Of the terminations, Bush has recommended 59 of them before. Twenty-seven of the 55 programs targeted for spending reductions have been previously submitted to Congress.

But don't worry... he's not cutting faith-based initiatives... just little, unnecessary things like education.

[source]

Jeff Gannon, fake reporter.

The story has developed quite a bit.

With photo and archives.org proof, we now know that he was in fact a gay escort.

Why does this matter?

So in the end, why does this matter? Why does it matter that Jeff Gannon may have been a gay hooker named James Guckert with a $20,000 defaulted court judgment against him? So he somehow got a job lobbing softball questions to the White House. Big deal. If he was already a prostitute, why not be one in the White House briefing room as well?

This is the Conservative Republican Bush White House we're talking about. It's looking increasingly like they made a decision to allow a hooker to ask the President of the United States questions. They made a decision to give a man with an alias and no journalistic experience access to the West Wing of the White House on a "daily basis." They reportedly made a decision to give him - one of only six - access to documents, or information in those documents, that exposed a clandestine CIA operative. Say what you will about Monika Lewinsky - a tasteless episode, "inappropriate," whatever. Monika wasn't a gay prostitute running around the West Wing. What kind of leadership would let prostitutes roam the halls of the West Wing? What kind of war-time leadership can't find the same information that took bloggers only days to find?

None of this is by accident.

Someone had to make a decision to let all this happen. Who? Someone committed a crime in exposing Valerie Plame and now it appears a gay hooker may be right in the middle of all of it? Who?

Ultimately, it is the hypocrisy that is such a challenge to grasp in this story. This is the same White House that ran for office on a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage. While they are surrounded by gay hookers? While they use a gay hooker to write articles for their gay hating political base? While they use a gay hooker to destroy a political enemy? Not to mention the hypocrisy of a "reporter" who chooses to publish article after article defending the ant-gay religious-right point of view on gay civil rights issue.

Who in the White House is at the center of all of this? Who allowed this to go on in the People's House? Who committed the crime of exposing Valerie Plame? Jeff Gannon has the answers to these questions, and boy we know he loves to talk.