Something just seems weird that it would also happen during Lent.

The Pope resigns and good riddance to a former Nazi and a known, proven pedophile protector.

This resignation comes as a new HBO documentary is released about the extent of pedophilia in the Catholic Church and the extent of the cover-up by this Pope and previous ones. "Mea Maxima Culpa: Silence in the House of God" begins its enraging journey by introducing the crimes of the Rev. Lawrence Murphy, who molested hundreds of boys under his care at St. John's School for the Deaf in Milwaukee.

If in the 60s, 70s, the Church had not excommunicated all of the priests and nuns who followed Liberation Theology teachings, there might be a chance this institution (and all Christianity) could vault itself into the 21st century.

Outgoing DOD boss Panetta extends some benefits to same-sex spouses, partners of gay troops

By Bill Briggs, NBC News contributor

Departing Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta extended Monday a list of benefits — all previously denied by the Pentagon — to the same-sex spouses of service members as well as to the unmarried partners of gay troops.

The perks, automatically available to heterosexual military spouses, will include hospital child care services, hospital visits, and the issuing of military ID cards, which will give same-sex spouses and partners access to on-base commissaries, movie theaters and gyms. The policy changes will go into effect once training on the new rules is completed, Panetta said.

While advocates for gay and lesbian service members and their families hailed Panetta’s policy switch as “substantive” and “encouraging,” the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) still blocks the DOD from enacting more than 85 other benefits now provided to heterosexual military spouses and their children — most notably medical and dental care, housing allowances, and death benefits.


Also, as NBC News reported Feb. 4, that same federal law mandates that when a gay service member is killed in combat, military officials must first notify that troop’s blood family, not their spouse, as is normally the course of action.

Panetta said DOMA is “now being reviewed by the United States Supreme Court" — and he offered his first clear signal that the Pentagon wants that law overturned.

“There are certain benefits that can only be provided to spouses as defined by that law,” Panetta said. “While it will not change during my tenure as secretary of defense, I foresee a time when the law will allow the department to grant full benefits to service members and their dependents, irrespective of sexual orientation. Until then, the department will continue to comply with current law while doing all we can to take care of all soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, and their families."

Same-sex advocates have been pushing the DOD to extend full benefits to the spouses and partners of all U.S. service members since the repeal 17 months of ago of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy which prohibited gay troops from revealing their sexual orientation.

“At the time of repeal, I committed to reviewing benefits that had not previously been available to same-sex partners based on existing law and policy,” Panetta said. “It is a matter of fundamental equity that we provide similar benefits to all of those men and women in uniform who serve their country ...

“Taking care of our service members and honoring the sacrifices of all military families are two core values of this nation. Extending these benefits is an appropriate next step under current law to ensure that all service members receive equal support for what they do to protect this nation."

Advocates for gay and lesbian service members and their families praised Panetta’s policy shift although they said that the move is not groundbreaking due to the DOMA legal blockade.

“Secretary Panetta’s decision today answers the call President (Barack) Obama issued in his inaugural address to complete our nation's journey toward equality, acknowledging the equal service and equal sacrifice of our gay and lesbian service members and their families,” said Allyson Robinson, an Army veteran and executive director of OutServe-SLDN, an association of actively serving lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender U.S. military personnel with more than 50 chapters and 6,000 members.

“We thank him for getting us a few steps closer to full equality — steps that will substantively improve the quality of life of gay and lesbian military families,” Robinson said.

The American Military Partner Association (AMPA), a support network for LGBT military families, released the following statement today in response to Panetta's announcement:

“We’ve waited far too long for this, and it’s fantastic news that our dedicated military families will now have access to some of the benefits and support services they need and deserve,” said Stephen Peters, the group's president. “However, (DOMA) continues to undermine our military families who sacrifice so much for our nation. This summer, we hope that the Supreme Court will make it clear that our families are just as important and deserve the same protections, benefits, and support that federal recognition brings.”

To offer the new benefits to partners, DOD will ask gay and lesbian service members to sign a “Declaration of Domestic Partnership” in which they will attest that they are in a committed relationship, and intend to remain so indefinitely, and that neither is legally married, according to OutServe-SLDN.

The changes will take “several months to complete, Pentagon officials said. The extra time is needed so that military leaders can offer a chance for the public to comment on the new rules and also to allow an opportunity for each of the branches to update its IT system, develop new processes for issuing ID cards, and train their personnel on the refreshed benefits package.

Panetta did stop short on offering a full slate of benefits that gay advocates have been requesting for two years: on-base housing and burial at Arlington National Cemetery and other items that don’t fall under DOMA, according to OutServe-SLDN. (The organization’s lawyers drafted an explanation outlining the policy shift for gay service members and their families.)

DOD officials have explained to OutServe-SLDN that “policy for burial at Arlington National Cemetery is under review. At issue is how to verify eligible same-sex relationships for the surviving spouse in order to ensure equitable policy implementation."

The Liberation Theology movement was the last moment of social relevance for the Catholic Church. When he was still Cardinal Ratzinger, this pope in his role as Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, (also known as the Holy Roman Inquisition. Yes, really.), was fully responsible for the above-mentioned excommunications. Not surprising for someone who was a member of the Nazi Party. I wonder if he's feeling.... guilty?

He is running from the HBO documentary as well. How in the hell are the going to find a Cardinal that is not tainted by pedophilia and ignoring the social justice teachings of their Jesus the Christ?

North Korea conducts third nuclear weapons test
 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/0...n_2666319.html

This is not smart on the part of Pyongyang. When China has gotten tired of them (and they have) you know they've gone too far. I say that simply because China has been a loyal ally of North Korea and are, pretty much, the only friend the North has left.

Cheers
Aj

love the sinner but hate the sin and try to have a segregated Prom


A group of students and parents at Sullivan High School in Sullivan, Ind., have banded together to push for a “traditional” prom that would prohibit their lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered classmates from attending.

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/02/11/...#ixzz2KhnKcV3e

WATCH: Montana TV Station Warns of ‘Zombie Apocalypse’

Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/02/12/...#ixzz2KhnyTI7z

Awesome! But I would have been scared if I heard that while watching TV... LMAO

Pastor in same-sex parent dispute remains jailed
By WILSON RING, Associated Press
Thursday, January 31, 2013

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — A pastor was taken back to jail Thursday for continuing to refuse to tell a grand jury what he knows about a woman who fled the country to escape a custody dispute with her former lesbian partner.


Miller told the judge that the week he has spent in jail has strengthened his resolve that his beliefs require him to follow God's law when they conflict with civil law. He said he is willing to pay the price, even if it means more time in jail.

"If I were to bring testimony against a fellow member of Christ's kingdom, for honoring Christ's kingdom's laws, I would be disloyal to his kingdom and to Christ," Miller said.



http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/art...#ixzz2KiXa0ClM

Glass shards prompt recall of Lean Cuisine ravioli
 

Alaska environmental regulators say Nestle Prepared Foods Co. has issued a recall of Lean Cuisine mushroom ravioli after consumer reports that glass shards were found in the product.

Officials say affected packages of Culinary Collection Mushroom Mezzaluna Ravioli with the UPC number 13800-58358 and production codes of 2311587812 and 2312587812. Both codes have a "best before" date of December 2013.

It was distributed in November.

Officials say there have been no reports of injuries or illnesses.

Consumers who may have the recalled Lean Cuisine dish should not eat it, but instead contact Nestle Consumer Services at (866) 586-9424 or leancuisine@casupport.com.

Nestle will provide a replacement coupon to reporting consumers and also may make arrangements to retrieve the product for further examination.

Read more: http://www.wcvb.com/news/money/Glass...#ixzz2KiodruVd

Chris Dorner is apparently surrounded in Big Bear. He had 2 female hostages, one escaped and alerted police. Chris shot 2 more officers when he was approached. I'm scared to see how this ends.

Let Them Eat Cake
 

Lesbian Couple Denied Wedding Cake Accept Celebrity Baker’s Offer


A lesbian couple who were denied a wedding cake by an Oregon bakery have accepted a sweet offer from ”Ace of Cakes” star Duff Goldman.

The celebrity baker offered the brides-to-be a free wedding cake after they were shunned by an Oregon baker who said he does not serve same-sex marriages.


http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/business...-bakers-offer/

I love Duff Goldman so much.
Just when I thought he couldn't get any more awesome.

Butch/femme photo project
 

I am stunned beyond belief. This is true. The Catholic Church is in deep shit.


Pope Benedict resigned to avoid arrest, seizure of church wealth by Easter
Posted on February 13, 2013 by itccs

Diplomatic Note was issued to Vatican just prior to his resignation

New Pope and Catholic clergy face indictment and arrest as "Easter Reclamation" plan continues

A Global Media Release and Statement from The International Tribunal into Crimes of Church and State

http://itccs.org/2013/02/13/pope-ben...lth-by-easter/

Hubris: The Selling of the Iraq War It airs Monday Feb 18 at 9pm ET/ 6pm Pacific.

Join Rachel Maddow for the step-by-step true story of how the American people were sold on the Iraq war.


http://www.nbcnews.com/id/3036750/ns...ries/#50810559

And don't get me started on those asshat treasonous Senate Republicans filibustering Chuck Hagel as Defense Secretary.........the FIRST time in history this has ever happened. No up or down vote period.

*insert many words not used in polite company*