Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 17, 2011
17 March, Italy 150's Anniversary
Sono poche o pochissime le occasioni in cui un uomo di buon senso può dirsi fiero della propria nazionalità. La nazionalità è qualcosa di molto astratto e generico, un concetto verso il quale fatico ad avvicinarmi. Io mi sento da sempre europeo, prima che italiano, e penso che via via le nuove generazioni d’Europa condivideranno sempre più questo tipo di sentimento, anche alla luce del ventennio berlusconiano in cui ci capita di vivere, un periodo storico fra i più sporchi e meno condivisi della storia italiana, appena meglio del fascismo. In ogni caso, oggi si celebra il 150° anniversario dalla proclamazione del Regno d’Italia unito, e allora mi pare giusto ricordare la data con le belle parole del presidente degli Stati Uniti, Barack Obama:
A PROCLAMATION
On March 17, Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of its unification
as a single state. On this day, we join with Italians everywhere to honor
the courage, sacrifice, and vision of the patriots who gave birth to the
Italian nation. At a time when the United States was fighting for the
preservation of our own Union, Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign for the
unification of Italy inspired many around the world in their own struggles,
including the 39th New York Infantry, also known as “The Garibaldi Guard.”
Today, the legacy of Garibaldi and all those who unified Italy lives on in
the millions of American women and men of Italian descent who strengthen and
enrich our Nation.
Italy and the United States are bound by friendship and common
dedication to civil liberties, democratic principles, and the universal
human rights our countries both respect and uphold. As we mark this
important milestone in Italian history, we also honor the joint efforts of
Americans and Italians to foster freedom, democracy, and our shared values
throughout the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 17, 2011, as a day to
celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy. I encourage
all Americans to learn more about the history of Italian unification and to
honor the enduring friendship between the people of Italy and the people of
the United States.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
A PROCLAMATION
On March 17, Italy celebrates the 150th anniversary of its unification
as a single state. On this day, we join with Italians everywhere to honor
the courage, sacrifice, and vision of the patriots who gave birth to the
Italian nation. At a time when the United States was fighting for the
preservation of our own Union, Giuseppe Garibaldi’s campaign for the
unification of Italy inspired many around the world in their own struggles,
including the 39th New York Infantry, also known as “The Garibaldi Guard.”
Today, the legacy of Garibaldi and all those who unified Italy lives on in
the millions of American women and men of Italian descent who strengthen and
enrich our Nation.
Italy and the United States are bound by friendship and common
dedication to civil liberties, democratic principles, and the universal
human rights our countries both respect and uphold. As we mark this
important milestone in Italian history, we also honor the joint efforts of
Americans and Italians to foster freedom, democracy, and our shared values
throughout the world.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim March 17, 2011, as a day to
celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Unification of Italy. I encourage
all Americans to learn more about the history of Italian unification and to
honor the enduring friendship between the people of Italy and the people of
the United States.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this sixteenth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the Independence
of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
BARACK OBAMA
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Refusal to See Ties Between Racism and Homophobia
From the blog by Michael in Norfolk
http://michael-in-norfolk.blogspot.com/2011/03/refusal-to-see-ties-between-racism-and.html
Editors Note: Some readers may not like the views expressed in this post. However, it is a message that needs to be sent in my view.
*
In the wake of the delay/defeat of marriage equality in Maryland because, at least according to some reports - of the homophobia of black members of the Maryland House of Delegates, once again attention is focused on the fact that some members of the black community refuse to recognize the connection between anti-black bigotry and anti-gay bigotry. In the process, these delegates - and the brain dead pastors that the pander to - undermine support for their own civil rights and equality under the law. Both phenomena have had the Bible used as justifying hate and intolerance against their victims and both are a result of a sick mindset among those who have a desire/need to grasp at differences in others so as to make them feel superior and better about themselves. Yet, too many in the black community - black pastors in particular - refuse to open their eyes to the reality and allow themselves to be manipulated by white Christianists like Tony Perkins. That's right, individuals and organizations with documented ties to white supremacist groups. Like myself, John Aravosis finds the stupidity/ignorance of the black pastor set enough to drive one crazy. The black pastors are sending a dangerous message. They want others to support black civil rights yet they refuse to support the civil rights of others. I suspect the end result of this is a disinclination on the part of some in the LGBT community to continue to oppose anti-black racism. That's right, black homophobia is driving away would be allies. Here are highlights from a post on America Blog Gay:
*
Racism is the same thing as homophobia, and they're the same thing as anti-Semitism, as bigotry against the Irish during the 1800s and beyond, as America's appalling treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, of America's appalling treatment of Muslim-Americans following September 11, and the Republicans appalling treatment of Latinos to this day.
*
It's absurd for one group to make the claim that they suffered more than others, thus other claims for equal rights are somehow less valid.
[Maryland] Del. Emmett C. Burns saying "Those who want to ride on our coattails are historically incorrect; gay people had not endured the struggles of blacks, had not had crosses burned on their lawns or been thrown in a police wagon."
*
Actually, gay people have been thrown in police wagons - some during Stonewall, and others fighting alongside Martin Luther King (Coretta mentions this fact below) - and had the bigot from Maryland bothered studying his civil rights history, he'd have known that.
*
Prejudice and bigotry is a bad thing. And it's motivated by the same hatred, regardless of the skin color or sexual orientation of the perpetrator or the victim. So the next time you're confronted by an anti-gay bigot like Delegate Burns, or anyone who claims that somehow racism is more evil than homophobia, quote the words of Coretta Scott King, when talking about racism and homophobia. And then tell them to STFU, unless they want to now claim that they know more about civil rights than Martin Luther King's widow.
*
Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King's widow, told them to. In a remarkable address before the Task Force's annual meeting, on November 9, 2000, Mrs. King gave a forceful statement on the importance of gay rights to the overall civil rights struggle (read Mrs. King's entire speech here.)
*
And this was not the first time Martin Luther King's widow made clear that groups like the Concerned Women for America have no idea what they're talking about when they try to speak on behalf of African-Americans about civil rights.
*
[S]he [Coretta King] said, "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" "I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people," she said. - Reuters, March 31, 1998.
*
Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood," King stated. "This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group." - Chicago Defender, April 1, 1998, front page.
*
John has a number of additional quotes from Ms. King that I encourage readers to check out. Anti-gay bigots in the black community are stupidly cutting their own throats and aiding those white "family values" Christianists who despise the black community almost as much as (or perhaps even more)they despise LGBT individuals.
http://michael-in-norfolk.blogspot.com/2011/03/refusal-to-see-ties-between-racism-and.html
Editors Note: Some readers may not like the views expressed in this post. However, it is a message that needs to be sent in my view.
*
In the wake of the delay/defeat of marriage equality in Maryland because, at least according to some reports - of the homophobia of black members of the Maryland House of Delegates, once again attention is focused on the fact that some members of the black community refuse to recognize the connection between anti-black bigotry and anti-gay bigotry. In the process, these delegates - and the brain dead pastors that the pander to - undermine support for their own civil rights and equality under the law. Both phenomena have had the Bible used as justifying hate and intolerance against their victims and both are a result of a sick mindset among those who have a desire/need to grasp at differences in others so as to make them feel superior and better about themselves. Yet, too many in the black community - black pastors in particular - refuse to open their eyes to the reality and allow themselves to be manipulated by white Christianists like Tony Perkins. That's right, individuals and organizations with documented ties to white supremacist groups. Like myself, John Aravosis finds the stupidity/ignorance of the black pastor set enough to drive one crazy. The black pastors are sending a dangerous message. They want others to support black civil rights yet they refuse to support the civil rights of others. I suspect the end result of this is a disinclination on the part of some in the LGBT community to continue to oppose anti-black racism. That's right, black homophobia is driving away would be allies. Here are highlights from a post on America Blog Gay:
*
Racism is the same thing as homophobia, and they're the same thing as anti-Semitism, as bigotry against the Irish during the 1800s and beyond, as America's appalling treatment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, of America's appalling treatment of Muslim-Americans following September 11, and the Republicans appalling treatment of Latinos to this day.
*
It's absurd for one group to make the claim that they suffered more than others, thus other claims for equal rights are somehow less valid.
[Maryland] Del. Emmett C. Burns saying "Those who want to ride on our coattails are historically incorrect; gay people had not endured the struggles of blacks, had not had crosses burned on their lawns or been thrown in a police wagon."
*
Actually, gay people have been thrown in police wagons - some during Stonewall, and others fighting alongside Martin Luther King (Coretta mentions this fact below) - and had the bigot from Maryland bothered studying his civil rights history, he'd have known that.
*
Prejudice and bigotry is a bad thing. And it's motivated by the same hatred, regardless of the skin color or sexual orientation of the perpetrator or the victim. So the next time you're confronted by an anti-gay bigot like Delegate Burns, or anyone who claims that somehow racism is more evil than homophobia, quote the words of Coretta Scott King, when talking about racism and homophobia. And then tell them to STFU, unless they want to now claim that they know more about civil rights than Martin Luther King's widow.
*
Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King's widow, told them to. In a remarkable address before the Task Force's annual meeting, on November 9, 2000, Mrs. King gave a forceful statement on the importance of gay rights to the overall civil rights struggle (read Mrs. King's entire speech here.)
*
And this was not the first time Martin Luther King's widow made clear that groups like the Concerned Women for America have no idea what they're talking about when they try to speak on behalf of African-Americans about civil rights.
*
[S]he [Coretta King] said, "But I hasten to remind them that Martin Luther King Jr. said, 'Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.'" "I appeal to everyone who believes in Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream to make room at the table of brother- and sisterhood for lesbian and gay people," she said. - Reuters, March 31, 1998.
*
Homophobia is like racism and anti-Semitism and other forms of bigotry in that it seeks to dehumanize a large group of people, to deny their humanity, their dignity and personhood," King stated. "This sets the stage for further repression and violence that spread all too easily to victimize the next minority group." - Chicago Defender, April 1, 1998, front page.
*
John has a number of additional quotes from Ms. King that I encourage readers to check out. Anti-gay bigots in the black community are stupidly cutting their own throats and aiding those white "family values" Christianists who despise the black community almost as much as (or perhaps even more)they despise LGBT individuals.
Equality is about Love, from blog Real Euphoria
http://www.realeuphoria.com/
By StevieD · Comments (0)
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I’m hoping that this post can be kept to a reasonable size but we will see if I can summarise lol. Of all my posts over the years on this topic I ask that you read this one. I feel that this post will post will represent how I feel better than anything I have written before.
The topic is marriage equality. There is no doubt in my mind that this is an issue of marriage equality, not gay marriage but marriage equality. As has been said a million times we are not asking anything at all that others don’t have. We are just asking for equal rights. Any introduction of another system of recognising same sex couples such as civil unions, civil registrations or any other name they want to give it is unacceptable. That’s not equal, that’s segregation.
A recent parallel I heard made by Rod & Cisco was comparing this to the black civil rights movement in the U.S. In particular when they moved from not even allowing the black or African Americans of the time to use water fountains to setting up separate water fountains for them. That’s not equal that’s still segregation. It was still treating them like second class citizens. They didn’t want a separate water fountain, they just wanted the same rights as everyone else. the ability to use the ones that were already there.
We don’t want a new system that some what resembles marriage, we just want the same rights as everyone else. This argument that marriage is a religious ceremony we already know is not true because the ritual is not limited to religious groups now. If religion wants to claim it as a right then they should be out there campaigning to stop secular people, celebrants and others from being able to perform marriage ceremony’s. I mean if you look at this, we are not asking the church to recognise our marriages, we know we can have our marriages performed outside the church. We are only asking the government to recognise the marriage registration performed by a registered celebrant and treat it like any other.
I recently read an article by Jarrah Reay who pointed out that marriage didn’t start as a religious act but a financial one where agreements were met on the union by drawing up contracts to divide land etc. This is where the state started getting involved. Marriage developed into a more emotional union in the 17th Century but the state maintained control. I really would love to see an Australian constitutional attorney’s view on all the workings here and in particular when the Australian Government changed the definition.
In this battle for equality it really is important to stand up and be counted. This is not just a battle for the LGBT but also for everyone to take a stand. This is simply a battle of discrimination and equal rights. Voice the issues whether that be at demonstrations, written campaigns or just in every day life. Take to the internet and make sure those around you know how you feel. Let people know that even if you don’t want to get married you would at least like the choice. I believe strongly this is an issue of love and the government should stay out of it. I believe that I should have a choice and not just be a segregated water fountain. It’s a statistic that around ten percent of the population is LGBT. If you add to that other straight people who support marriage equality that really does make us a powerful force both socially and politically. We are all part of the world and we are all important. Let’s make sure the government know it and let’s make sure society are educated to understand we are not second class citizens, we are the person who handles their tax, serve them food, service their cars, treat them when they are sick and keep them safe
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
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