Breaking News Events

[suebee]

Originally Posted by EnderD_503

Wtf...anything so that they don't have to give a transwoman marriage benefits. If she has had her gender marker changed then they should be forced to recognise the marriage. Same-sex marriage should be legal everywhere at this point, but at the same time they should be recognising her as woman.



Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/24/365...-marriage.html

I literally gasped when I read this. I don't know why - I should have expected it. Incredible that her gender can be changed on official documents but even that can be overlooked in order to discriminate against her. Goes to show the value of careful estate planning to protect your loved ones.

[AtLast]

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/26/us...pagewanted=all

[Soon]

Originally Posted by Nat

Mega-church leader Bishop Eddie Long has canceled a previously announced appearance on the Tom Joyner Morning Show Thursday after a third man filed a lawsuit accusing the prominent minister of using his pastoral influence to coerce him into a sexual relationship. In addition, Long's attorneys canceled plans for a press conference to address the growing scandal.

From JoeMyGod:

It appears that Atlanta's Bishop Eddie Long has paid off the four young men who last year accused him of coercing them into totally gay homosexual sex. Long had regularly and viciously railed against LGBT people from his megachurch pulpit.

Barbara Marschalk, who represents New Birth Missionary Baptist Church and Long Fellows Youth Academy, said she anticipates " the lawsuits will be dismissed, with prejudice, by close of business tomorrow." B.J. Bernstein, who represents the four men who sued Long, New Birth and LongFellows, also confirmed the lawsuits had been settled. Neither side would comment further and settlement terms were unknown. According to Bernstein's office, neither she nor the plaintiffs -- Maurice Robinson, Jamal Parris, Anthony Flagg and Spencer LeGrande -- would be available for an interview "on this matter, now or in the future. "

VIDEO: Once again, here's Cadillac Kimberly's now-classic rant upon hearing the news last fall. Totally NSFW and totally hilarious.

[Soon]

Priest Sex-Abuse Case Hits Church of Pope's Adviser

GENOA) — The latest sex-abuse case to rock the Catholic Church is unfolding in the archdiocese of an influential Italian Cardinal who has been working with Pope Benedict XVI on reforms to respond to prior scandals of pedophile priests.

Father Riccardo Seppia, a 51-year-old parish priest in the village of Sastri Ponente, near Genoa, was arrested last Friday, May 13, on pedophilia and drug charges. Investigators say that in tapped mobile-phone conversations, Seppia asked a Moroccan drug dealer to arrange sexual encounters with young and vulnerable boys. "I do not want 16-year-old boys but younger. Fourteen-year-olds are O.K. Look for needy boys who have family issues," he allegedly said. Genoa Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco, who is the head of the Italian Bishops Conference, had been working with Benedict to establish a tough new worldwide policy, released this week, on how bishops should handle accusations of priestly sex abuse.


ETA: I don't know if if this is *Breaking News*, but I don't see a thread on sexual abuse by *religious* figures.

[AtLast]

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/05/...ing/index.html

Wisconsin judge strikes down collective bargaining restrictions

[Corkey]

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/05/2...y-pride-event/

While we have the right to march, he is still standing guard for us.

[UofMfan]

John Edwards Indicted: Charged With Conspiracy, Campaign Finance Violations By Federal Grand Jury

[Kobi]

Possible gene therapy cure for AIDS.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110603/...ds_anniversary

Jack Kevorkian dies.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110603/...obit_kevorkian

[AtLast]

http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2011/...r=3?dailybrief

[UofMfan]

Anthony Weiner Twitter Scandal: New Photos Emerge

From HuffPo

Seriously, when will they learn?

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

Anthony Weiner Twitter Scandal: New Photos Emerge

From HuffPo

Seriously, when will they learn?

I knew this was to blow up. And he is using the "Clinton defense!" You know, sexting, sending sexy pics and phone sex are great between partners and spouses- don't see a thing wrong with that (as long as it is done on a personal phone, etc. not on the public dime). This is cheating and does say something about his level of commitment to his marriage. It could also be something that is pathological.

[suebee]

I didn't know where to post this. It's not something that happened today, but rather a commentary on something that happened at the very beginning of the Libyan revolution. It tells the story about an ordinary man who did what he could. And yes - I too spent half of the night listening to Mo, getting up the next morning to find out that he had been killed. Rest in peace Mo. You got the word out. Others have taken up where you left off.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I knew this was to blow up. And he is using the "Clinton defense!" You know, sexting, sending sexy pics and phone sex are great between partners and spouses- don't see a thing wrong with that (as long as it is done on a personal phone, etc. not on the public dime). This is cheating and does say something about his level of commitment to his marriage. It could also be something that is pathological.

Well, I'm going to say something here about this, because I'm a fan of Rep. Anthony Weiner. I've been thinking about this for an awfully long time, even before this scandal broke. When a person is outspoken and doesn't mind "poking the dog with a stick", so to speak...and Rep. Weiner does this consistently(he's a progressive liberal with balls!!), calling the Republicans out on their hypocrisy, lying, whathaveyou....he should have been watching his back a little closer. No one is perfect, obviously, but really, he can only blame himself for his indiscretions.

I know this from being a union rep. I have to watch my back constantly!! When I started carrying that union briefcase, I also put a target on my back and I have to hold myself to a higher standard of conduct than, perhaps, I had to before. Same thing with Anthony Weiner. He's been going up against the powerful, dirty games Republicans who are backed by their deep pocketed corporate masters. You can't afford this kind of stuff when you make a mouthpiece of yourself for the "little guys".

I don't think he's been married that long, either. I think he just got married a year or two ago. This has really sadly surprised me, just on that fact alone.

I hope he comes out of this okay, and I think he will. New York politicians seem to survive pretty well and Rep. Weiner has a very supportive fan base. How his wife chooses to deal with this will unfold in time.

~Theo~

[betenoire]

Just thought I'd pop in to say that my ability to be faithful to my spouse has nothing to do with my ability to do my job. I think it's really unfair/shitty that we live in a world where what politicians (and celebrities and boring people who play golf for a living) do and do not do with their dicks is considered relevant.

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by betenoire

Just thought I'd pop in to say that my ability to be faithful to my spouse has nothing to do with my ability to do my job. I think it's really unfair/shitty that we live in a world where what politicians (and celebrities and boring people who play golf for a living) do and do not do with their dicks is considered relevant.

I totally agree with that sentiment, except when the politician, for instance Edwards, is in a position to take down the entire Democratic party down with him.

I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of the bedroom, etc, I do care what effect that may have on a cause, party, political movement, etc because unfortunately, it does.

Had Edwards been elected President, the consequences of his actions would have reached way beyond what he did to his family.

In Weiner's case, it shows poor judgement, lack of impulse control, etc and during a closely contested election year, it gives the opposing party an edge.

[betenoire]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

I totally agree with that sentiment, except when the politician, for instance Edwards, is in a position to take down the entire Democratic party down with him.

I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of the bedroom, etc, I do care what effect that may have on a cause, party, political movement, etc because unfortunately, it does.

Had Edwards been elected President, the consequences of his actions would have reached way beyond what he did to his family.

In Weiner's case, it shows poor judgement, lack of impulse control, etc and during a closely contested election year, it gives the opposing party an edge.

I don't disagree with you. But, really, my point is that it -shouldn't- give the opposing party an edge. It does, yes. But it shouldn't.

[theoddz]

Originally Posted by UofMfan

I totally agree with that sentiment, except when the politician, for instance Edwards, is in a position to take down the entire Democratic party down with him.

I don't care what anyone does in the privacy of the bedroom, etc, I do care what effect that may have on a cause, party, political movement, etc because unfortunately, it does.

Had Edwards been elected President, the consequences of his actions would have reached way beyond what he did to his family.

In Weiner's case, it shows poor judgement, lack of impulse control, etc and during a closely contested election year, it gives the opposing party an edge.

Ya, but you know what?? There's so much of this out there now with so many of these politicians (from both parties) and public figures, that the American public is becoming numb and/or indifferent to a lot of it. I think we, as a country, have gotten over the "shock", so to speak, and are no more morally outraged. At worst, most folks just think "Well, they're politicians, for G-d's sake, so what do you expect from a pig but a grunt??". Dare I say that it's become "commonplace"???

That's why I'm saying that I think that Anthony Weiner will come out of this okay, in time. Most of all, he's carrying an important message where others have feared to tread....he's calling the Rethuglicans out on the more important and politically relevant stuff. That's what most people are really concerned about, and not what Weiner's weiner looks like.

~Theo~

[UofMfan]

Originally Posted by betenoire

I don't disagree with you. But, really, my point is that it -shouldn't- give the opposing party an edge. It does, yes. But it shouldn't.

I agree with you too

Originally Posted by theoddz

Ya, but you know what?? There's so much of this out there now with so many of these politicians (from both parties) and public figures, that the American public is becoming numb and/or indifferent to a lot of it. I think we, as a country, have gotten over the "shock", so to speak, and are no more morally outraged. At worst, most folks just think "Well, they're politicians, for G-d's sake, so what do you expect from a pig but a grunt??". Dare I say that it's become "commonplace"???

That's why I'm saying that I think that Anthony Weiner will come out of this okay, in time. Most of all, he's carrying an important message where others have feared to tread....he's calling the Rethuglicans out on the more important and politically relevant stuff. That's what most people are really concerned about, and not what Weiner's weiner looks like.

~Theo~

In a perfect world Theo, this would be true.

Unfortunately, and as it has been proven by the popularity and reach of the Tea Party Movement, the US has a lot of conservative folks who are totally concerned about this and will use to to gain political clout. The US, as most of Europe, has moved more towards the Right and this is what the Right feeds on.

I for one don't care what Weiner's weiner looks like, but there are those who do, only because they can use it to their political advantage and they have and will.

I disagree, I think Weiner's political future is hanging by a very thin thread, mainly because he lied, tried to cover it up. I don't think he has Clinton's charisma to get away with that. Besides, as more women and pictures come up, the more pressure he will have to resign.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by theoddz

Well, I'm going to say something here about this, because I'm a fan of Rep. Anthony Weiner. I've been thinking about this for an awfully long time, even before this scandal broke. When a person is outspoken and doesn't mind "poking the dog with a stick", so to speak...and Rep. Weiner does this consistently(he's a progressive liberal with balls!!), calling the Republicans out on their hypocrisy, lying, whathaveyou....he should have been watching his back a little closer. No one is perfect, obviously, but really, he can only blame himself for his indiscretions.

I know this from being a union rep. I have to watch my back constantly!! When I started carrying that union briefcase, I also put a target on my back and I have to hold myself to a higher standard of conduct than, perhaps, I had to before. Same thing with Anthony Weiner. He's been going up against the powerful, dirty games Republicans who are backed by their deep pocketed corporate masters. You can't afford this kind of stuff when you make a mouthpiece of yourself for the "little guys".

I don't think he's been married that long, either. I think he just got married a year or two ago. This has really sadly surprised me, just on that fact alone.

I hope he comes out of this okay, and I think he will. New York politicians seem to survive pretty well and Rep. Weiner has a very supportive fan base. How his wife chooses to deal with this will unfold in time.

~Theo~

Actually, because he is a progressive and very outspoken and bright- this makes me more angry with him. I want more like him in Congress.

I question his judgment on this as this stuff in terms of the fact that anything over the internet is going to be called out when someone holds public office. And he really messed up with how he initially handled this. It would have been far better if he just said he did it and the pics are of him. He has never put himself out there as a "family values" guy like so many of the right-wing office holders that have caught in these kinds of activities (although, they actually had affairs, etc.)- and that kind of hypocracy is what drives me crazy with these bozos.

Now, he has been caught in several lies, being abusive to the press, along with questions arising about the ages of some of the women (and his remark that he "believed" they were all 18 or older did piss me off in terms of what does happen via the internet and minors).

There is a general election coming up and if this could have a negative effect on the Dems (or more liberal/progressive candidates) gaining House seats- which is needed so that the right is held at bay. There are so many more progressive legislative issues that need to be addressed. Obama is vulnerable with the economy as it is and the unemployment rate.

Weiner is very popular with his district but not with many of his House colleagues who find him abrasive and self-centered. Senate Dems are not in love with him, either. He does not have a strong group backing him in the Democratic Party overall in the House or Senate. He is not viewed as a team player. Some of this I like about him- but now he has himself in a dumb mess that the Dems just want to go away.

I want him to remain in office because he aligns more with my kind of politics in general, but if he is going to help more GOP candidates get elected to the House in 2012- I say leave. Remember Mark Foley during the Clinton re-election and mid-terms for House GOP candidates? Weiner could become the Mark Foley for the Dems and losing more seats in Congress next year.

[AtLast]

How 'sex scandal' is sexual harassment
Behind the rightwing rumour mill about Democratic politicians like Anthony Weiner runs a misogynist phobia of 'loose women'

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...big-government

Amanda Marcotte guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 1 June 2011 17.30 BST Article history

Over the weekend, a would-be sex scandal erupted when the rightwing website Big Government started claiming to have evidence that Representative Anthony Weiner of New York had tweeted a picture of his penis to a young woman living in Seattle. After the initial buzz of excitement at the potential of a paper-selling sex scandal, the story started to die from lack of evidence. There was no physical evidence of the picture or the tweet, only an alleged screenshot of the photo that could have easily been photoshopped and a retweet of the alleged tweet. Both were courtesy of the single known witness to the tweet, a conservative who tweets constantly about his hatred of Congressman Weiner. While there's no solid evidence whether this is or isn't a hoax conducted by the sole witness to the tweet, the preponderance of evidence points in that direction, and media outlets new and old, such as Gawker and the New York Times, are leaning towards the view that it is a hoax. Other outlets are avoiding weighing in either way on whether or not Weiner sent the picture.

Extreme scepticism that Weiner is anything but the victim of a political hit job is more than warranted in this case, and not just because of the lack of evidence or the fact that this is being heavily promoted by Andrew Breitbart, who has a long history of disseminating falsified evidence to support his claims (see the Shirley Sherrod affair etc). Nor should you be sceptical only because of the timing of this story – remarkable, if true, that this should happen right after another New York congressman resigns from office after sending an inappropriate picture to a woman online, only to see the Republicans lose his seat to a Democrat in the special election to replace him. Nor should you be sceptical only because the photo in question so crassly lends itself to puerile "weiner" jokes at the congressman's expense.

No, we should be sceptical of this story chiefly because it fits a larger pattern of rightwing culture warriors ganging up and sexually harassing random young women after floating facetious insinuations about improper relationships between these women and Democratic politicians.

Blame Monica Lewinsky. Or, more specifically, blame rightwing nostalgia for the year of Monica Lewinsky, when conservatives were able to openly indulge their hatred of a popular Democratic politician, their prurience and their love of smacking down young women who devote their energies to pursuits other than being good Christian housewives. The days of Monica Lewinsky were a heady time indeed for the right; ever since then, they've been trying to recapture the magic. In the process, they've built up a long list of deplorable vilifications of innocent young women and their friends and family, usually for no other reason than said young women look how conservatives imagine the next Monica Lewinsky will.

During the 2004 campaign, the Drudge Report floated rumours that John Kerry was having an affair with a woman named Alexandra Polier, based on the "evidence" that Polier was young and cute and had met the senator. In 2006, feminist writer and activist Jessica Valenti was subject to a barrage of online harassment after blogger Ann Althouse accused her of making goo-goo eyes at former President Clinton, based on the evidence that Valenti wore a blue sweater and stood near Clinton in a group shot of a blogger lunch he hosted. In 2008, forgetting the failed attempts at bringing down Kerry with rumours, the rightwing noise machine claimed that Barack Obama had had an affair with campaign staffer Vera Baker. Once again, the "evidence" to bear was that the rumour-mongers looked at the woman in question and deemed her hot enough.

Being targeted by these baseless sexual harassment campaigns is traumatic for the objects, as the latest victim, Gennette Cordova, is finding out. Your dating history and your looks are combed over by strange men, who are clearly wiping the drool off their mouths as they analyse the shape of your breasts and the length of your skirt for more "evidence" that you are the honeypot their hated politician has fallen into. Every picture of you available becomes the new Zapruder film, examined endlessly for some tiny detail that could be used to claim you're a slattern, a girl gone wild, a despicable flirt who can't be trusted not to sleep with every man who isn't a rightwing blogger. If you recede from the public view in response, you're accused of hiding something. If you face down your accusers, you're accused of being an attention whore.

Of course, political harassing young women for perceived non-chastity didn't start with Monica Lewinsky, though that scandal certainly shapes the way this harassment looks today. For decades now, conservative ideologues have used opposition to abortion rights as an excuse to gawk at and harangue thousands of women for supposed sexual deviance. The stereotype of a woman who gets an abortion as a sexy young thing trying to conceal her shameful fornication draws protesters every week to the hundreds of abortion clinics in the country, so they can holler invective or passive-aggressively "pray for" women trying to manage the unwanted consequences of sexual intercourse. Unfortunately, the social tolerance of sexual harassment means there's no end in sight to the abusive scenes in front of abortion clinics; and, in fact, these harassment campaigns pretending to be "protests" have been exported beyond American borders and are starting to appear in places like the UK.

And just as the culture of misogynist harassment around abortion clinics shows no signs of fading, so we can expect to see more harassment aimed at random young women who've done absolutely nothing wrong but happen to support Democrats while being attractive and female. One rightwing blogger has already floated the suggestion that Representative Weiner's Twitter followers be looked over carefully, so that other women deemed "luscious" can be similarly singled out for a barrage of online abuse.

-----------------



On another note- Weiner's wife is pregnant- a recent announcement. Whatever happens with this, I hope that what is between them is allowed to be kept private. Now there are rumors floating around that he called her when this story broke and told her the "hacked" story, too. During one of his initial interviews he said that she knew about his engaging in this kind of activity "in the past" with women online. Who knows and it is up to them to design their own marriage.

Damn, I wish he had just come clean right away and kept it short and sweet. His defensive behavior and calling news people jackasses on TV was as stupid as his doing this in his House office, etc. Fergoddessakes, these folks have apartments and such that they stay in while in DC. Go do this there!

Ugh- the media is now doing all kinds of speculation about Uma and her motivation for marrying him.