One of Israel's shining achievements is its relatively egalitarian treatment of gays and lesbians, not just compared to its neighbors but compared to any other country in the world. Among other things, Israel allowed gays and lesbians to serve openly in the IDF well before the US repealed "Don't Ask Don't Tell" (as ex-Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA) argued, this must have been because Israel lacks "Judeo-Christian values").
But National Union MK Uri Ariel, unwilling to allow Israel to have any amount of a good thing, has urged Israel stop letting gays serve in the army. To be fair, Ariel is a fringe player (National Union is a small, far-right party too extreme even for Netanyahu's right-wing coalition). And Ariel himself has admitted to serving as a spy for militant settlers as they worked to disrupt IDF activity, making him at best a weak source of credible information about what benefits Israel's security or the IDF (at worst, it makes him a traitor).
Showing posts with label don't ask don't tell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label don't ask don't tell. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 19, 2012
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday Punch Roundup
A bit of a rough weekend here, and unfortunately Jill is out of town.
* * *
Melissa Harris-Perry on why (some) White liberals are turning on Obama.
An interesting retrospective by the participants in the notorious "Stanford Prison Experiment."
After a Palestinian stone-thrower apparently caused a car accident which killed a Jewish settler and his infant child, settler militants are vowing revenge, with one extremist Rabbi proclaiming "There are no innocents in war."
Convicts told: Go to church or go to jail. It's not an Establishment Clause violation, the police chief argues, because you've got a choice!
The Marine Times cover on the repeal of DADT is, indeed, fantastic.
I thought the Herman Cain fad had passed, but apparently nobody thought to tell Florida.
This is from a few days back, but the new Union of Jewish Students (UK) campaign for a two state solution respecting the rights and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike looks very cool. I'm dubious that it will have any impact on campus radicals, but hopefully it can make a dent on the middle.
US gives high-powered military equipment to Mid-East ally fighting terrorist organization which seeks an independent homeland for a stateless, oppressed people.
Looks like Congressional Republicans have been reading my Comment.
* * *
Melissa Harris-Perry on why (some) White liberals are turning on Obama.
An interesting retrospective by the participants in the notorious "Stanford Prison Experiment."
After a Palestinian stone-thrower apparently caused a car accident which killed a Jewish settler and his infant child, settler militants are vowing revenge, with one extremist Rabbi proclaiming "There are no innocents in war."
Convicts told: Go to church or go to jail. It's not an Establishment Clause violation, the police chief argues, because you've got a choice!
The Marine Times cover on the repeal of DADT is, indeed, fantastic.
I thought the Herman Cain fad had passed, but apparently nobody thought to tell Florida.
This is from a few days back, but the new Union of Jewish Students (UK) campaign for a two state solution respecting the rights and dignity of Israelis and Palestinians alike looks very cool. I'm dubious that it will have any impact on campus radicals, but hopefully it can make a dent on the middle.
US gives high-powered military equipment to Mid-East ally fighting terrorist organization which seeks an independent homeland for a stateless, oppressed people.
Looks like Congressional Republicans have been reading my Comment.
Friday, December 03, 2010
Staring History Down
Regarding continued GOP intransigence over the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell, Matt Yglesias asks:
I've often wondered the same thought myself. I can't imagine that any but the most deluded souls are unaware where this debate is heading, or how it will be evaluated 30 years hence. The opponents of DADT repeal have to be aware that they will be considered villains by history.
In a sense, that makes it a little admirable (odd as that is to say). There is something to be said for looking history in the eye and standing on principle, knowing full well you are forever committing your name to disgrace. For the people whose opposition to gay equality is genuine and heartfelt, there is something rather amazing at their willingness to take on such a role. I disagree with such people stridently, and will do my utmost to ensure that they are inscribed as villains sooner rather than later, but such deep commitment is a rare thing.
Of course, that only applies to those whose opposition stems from heartfelt commitment. For those who act this way for the sake of short-term political expediency -- or worse, pettiness and spite -- it's just sad.
I really wonder what’s happening, subjectively, inside the heads of people who oppose repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell. Do any of them think they’re on the right side of history here? That people are going to look back from 2040 and say “if only we’d listened to John McCain thirty years ago?”
I've often wondered the same thought myself. I can't imagine that any but the most deluded souls are unaware where this debate is heading, or how it will be evaluated 30 years hence. The opponents of DADT repeal have to be aware that they will be considered villains by history.
In a sense, that makes it a little admirable (odd as that is to say). There is something to be said for looking history in the eye and standing on principle, knowing full well you are forever committing your name to disgrace. For the people whose opposition to gay equality is genuine and heartfelt, there is something rather amazing at their willingness to take on such a role. I disagree with such people stridently, and will do my utmost to ensure that they are inscribed as villains sooner rather than later, but such deep commitment is a rare thing.
Of course, that only applies to those whose opposition stems from heartfelt commitment. For those who act this way for the sake of short-term political expediency -- or worse, pettiness and spite -- it's just sad.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Die Another Day Roundup
Terrible Bond flick, but it did contain perhaps the best one-liner in the series ("How's that for a punchline?").
* * *
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) wants folks to know we have an "urban" President.
The DADT report is out, and it looks good for team anti-discrimination.
Best quote from a soldier in that report? "We have a gay guy [in the unit]. He’s big, he’s mean, and he kills lots of bad guys. No one cared that he was gay."
The NAACP is hosting a summit on the growing resegregation of our schools.
TNC on the "secession ball" neo-confederates are planning on hosting.
What makes food safety the one thing that actually managed to secure GOP cooperation this term?
US condemns Palestinian pseudo-science which denies Jewish link to the Western Wall.
Federal court judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of an Oklahoma law which would forbid courts from considering international or shariah law.
From the WIkiLeak: Qatari emir says he "can't blame" Israel for mistrusting Arabs.
Speaking of the WikiLeaks, I haven't been following them that closely, but I read somewhere that the one party whose private communications contained no surprising revelations is Israel. They're communiques with America apparently relay much the same things as what they say in public. So much for shadowy Zionists.
* * *
Rep. Steve King (R-IA) wants folks to know we have an "urban" President.
The DADT report is out, and it looks good for team anti-discrimination.
Best quote from a soldier in that report? "We have a gay guy [in the unit]. He’s big, he’s mean, and he kills lots of bad guys. No one cared that he was gay."
The NAACP is hosting a summit on the growing resegregation of our schools.
TNC on the "secession ball" neo-confederates are planning on hosting.
What makes food safety the one thing that actually managed to secure GOP cooperation this term?
US condemns Palestinian pseudo-science which denies Jewish link to the Western Wall.
Federal court judge issues a preliminary injunction blocking enforcement of an Oklahoma law which would forbid courts from considering international or shariah law.
From the WIkiLeak: Qatari emir says he "can't blame" Israel for mistrusting Arabs.
Speaking of the WikiLeaks, I haven't been following them that closely, but I read somewhere that the one party whose private communications contained no surprising revelations is Israel. They're communiques with America apparently relay much the same things as what they say in public. So much for shadowy Zionists.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Is It Still Moot Roundup?
The first round of the Moot Court is over, and I think it went well. Same moderate concerns about speaking too fast (though none about gesticulation), but this time, they were pretty explicitly couched in terms like "it distracted me from your brilliant substance" -- so, good sign. "The only reason I kept listening [after being exhausted by the speed] was because of how compelling you are" is kind of an odd comment to get, but I'll take it.
* * *
Interesting interview between Adi Schwartz and John Ging of the UNRWA. One legitimate point Ging makes is that the UNRWA doesn't set its mandate -- the UNGA does. And hence, it is the UNGA that is preventing the UNRWA from treating its refugees like all others, and thus perpetuating the conflict by refusing to countenance resettling the refugees. The UNRWA is simply the hand that implements a malignant policy set elsewhere.
Spanish liberals and Western Sahara.
The Ottawa Protocol on Combating Anti-Semitism.
Glenn Beck and Iran are two peas in a pod when it comes to George Soros.
The lame-duck session of Congress included the House Ethics Committee finding that veteran-Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) committed ethical violations. I applaud the Committee for taking these matters seriously, and hope that the incoming Republican majority shows as much diligence in policing the ethical foibles of its own members.
Sen. John McCain has been an embarrassment on DADT, so it's quite just that he be embarrassed over it.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who likely won her write-in bid for re-election to the Senate, has opened fire on Sarah Palin, and is indicating that she will not play any role in tea party-backed efforts to sink the Obama administration.
Three more Oxford academics have resigned from the UCU, alleging it to be infected by institutional anti-Semitism. The final nail in the coffin, it seems, was the UCU's rejection of an Oxford branch-backed motion to disassociate the UCU from the views of noted hate speaker Bongani Masuku, whom the union had invited as part of its boycott Israel agenda.
* * *
Interesting interview between Adi Schwartz and John Ging of the UNRWA. One legitimate point Ging makes is that the UNRWA doesn't set its mandate -- the UNGA does. And hence, it is the UNGA that is preventing the UNRWA from treating its refugees like all others, and thus perpetuating the conflict by refusing to countenance resettling the refugees. The UNRWA is simply the hand that implements a malignant policy set elsewhere.
Spanish liberals and Western Sahara.
The Ottawa Protocol on Combating Anti-Semitism.
Glenn Beck and Iran are two peas in a pod when it comes to George Soros.
The lame-duck session of Congress included the House Ethics Committee finding that veteran-Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) committed ethical violations. I applaud the Committee for taking these matters seriously, and hope that the incoming Republican majority shows as much diligence in policing the ethical foibles of its own members.
Sen. John McCain has been an embarrassment on DADT, so it's quite just that he be embarrassed over it.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), who likely won her write-in bid for re-election to the Senate, has opened fire on Sarah Palin, and is indicating that she will not play any role in tea party-backed efforts to sink the Obama administration.
Three more Oxford academics have resigned from the UCU, alleging it to be infected by institutional anti-Semitism. The final nail in the coffin, it seems, was the UCU's rejection of an Oxford branch-backed motion to disassociate the UCU from the views of noted hate speaker Bongani Masuku, whom the union had invited as part of its boycott Israel agenda.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
You Can Say That
God, John McCain is such an enormous prick.
Via.
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Via.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Reconsideration Roundup
The problem with going big or going home is that sometimes ....
* * *
Is Bibi thinking of selling the West Bank withdrawal to right-wing Rabbis by waving US security guarantees over their head?
Ahmadinejad blusters: "The United States doesn't understand what war looks like. When a war starts, it knows no limits."
Senate minority blocks the repeal of DADT. Relatedly: John McCain still a hack, Tony Perkins still a dick.
The stats of a "front-runner".
Like all other religions, Christianity has a broad array of different views on moral questions, and we shouldn't take the seemingly abhorrent perspectives advocated by some and paint the entire faith with a broad brush.
Nate Silver has a comperenehsive assessment of the likely impact of the Tea Party, on election day and beyond.
A neat map that tracks the racial divides in DC.
* * *
Is Bibi thinking of selling the West Bank withdrawal to right-wing Rabbis by waving US security guarantees over their head?
Ahmadinejad blusters: "The United States doesn't understand what war looks like. When a war starts, it knows no limits."
Senate minority blocks the repeal of DADT. Relatedly: John McCain still a hack, Tony Perkins still a dick.
The stats of a "front-runner".
Like all other religions, Christianity has a broad array of different views on moral questions, and we shouldn't take the seemingly abhorrent perspectives advocated by some and paint the entire faith with a broad brush.
Nate Silver has a comperenehsive assessment of the likely impact of the Tea Party, on election day and beyond.
A neat map that tracks the racial divides in DC.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Wild Fantasies
The Onion makes my life: "Repeal Of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Paves Way For Gay Sex Right On Battlefield, Opponents Fantasize."
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
NCAA and a Roundup of Other Things
I love the NCAA tournament. And I particularly love the first few rounds, with a billion games going on at once and buzzer beaters and upsets by nobody-seeds you couldn't find on a map. And then there's the fun of making fun of my Georgetown alumni. Unfortunately, this year I took pity on her and the Hoyas going to the Final Four. That turned out great -- teach me to be nice to Liz.
* * *
A retired US general has blamed the Srebrenica massacre on Holland allowing gays in the military. That's because this general is a prejudiced dick, with views that have no basis in fact, history, or logic.
Bibi Netanyahu has apparently listed off concessions Israel is ready to make after its serious diplomatic faux-pas that has strained US-Israeli (not to mention Israeli-Palestinian) relations. Essentially, it would freeze, though not cancel, the offending housing announcement, as well as release more Palestinian prisoners and reduce checkpoints in the West Bank -- even possibly expand the amount of West Bank territory under PA control.
Jon Chait quite properly eviscerates Juan Cole's attack on "people like Jeffrey Goldberg", and the general presumption of ascribing to any remotely pro-Israel figure sets of views that they don't hold. This is yet another example of the maddening vagueness that often typifies discussions about who believes what regarding Israel and Palestine.
It's a shame we don't do more racial profiling -- we might have been even less likely to catch this guy.
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) becomes the second "no-to-yes" switch on the health care vote (after Dennis Kucinich).
Don't blog on controversial topics you know absolutely nothing about, unless you're indifferent to spreading malicious and false insinuations.
* * *
A retired US general has blamed the Srebrenica massacre on Holland allowing gays in the military. That's because this general is a prejudiced dick, with views that have no basis in fact, history, or logic.
Bibi Netanyahu has apparently listed off concessions Israel is ready to make after its serious diplomatic faux-pas that has strained US-Israeli (not to mention Israeli-Palestinian) relations. Essentially, it would freeze, though not cancel, the offending housing announcement, as well as release more Palestinian prisoners and reduce checkpoints in the West Bank -- even possibly expand the amount of West Bank territory under PA control.
Jon Chait quite properly eviscerates Juan Cole's attack on "people like Jeffrey Goldberg", and the general presumption of ascribing to any remotely pro-Israel figure sets of views that they don't hold. This is yet another example of the maddening vagueness that often typifies discussions about who believes what regarding Israel and Palestine.
It's a shame we don't do more racial profiling -- we might have been even less likely to catch this guy.
Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) becomes the second "no-to-yes" switch on the health care vote (after Dennis Kucinich).
Don't blog on controversial topics you know absolutely nothing about, unless you're indifferent to spreading malicious and false insinuations.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Lieberman to Lead on DADT Repeal
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-CT) has announced he will be the sponsor of legislation repealing the military's risible "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy forbidding openly gay soldiers from serving their country in the armed forces. Now, Sen. Lieberman has annoyed the hell out of me in recent years, but fair is fair -- he's doing the right thing here, and I have no problem recognizing that.
Now, I unfortunately can't say I share John Cole's optimism about the impact of Lieberman's announcement:
This might have been a good strategic move or not, but let's not deceive ourselves with the one "Democrat who the Republicans simply can't attack as anti-military" business. Of course they can attack Lieberman as anti-military. They can attack anyone as anti-military. They're already attacking the military leadership as anti-military -- why on earth would Joe Lieberman be immune.
I think we're going to win the DADT battle. Aside from the bent of the arc of history and all that jazz, the polls are strongly in our favor as well. But let's not kid ourselves. The GOP pitches a fit over any proposal to allow gays and lesbians equal status as American citizens. There is no reason to suspect they'll do any different here.
Now, I unfortunately can't say I share John Cole's optimism about the impact of Lieberman's announcement:
I know I am going to be accused of hippie punching and gay bashing, but a certain someone has been claiming for months this is how this was going to happen. Let the military get out in front and be agents of change, neutering Republican opposition, and then let the Democrat who the Republicans simply can’t attack as anti-military propose the bill. And with the public showing great support for repeal, it will pass, Ike Skelton be damned.
This might have been a good strategic move or not, but let's not deceive ourselves with the one "Democrat who the Republicans simply can't attack as anti-military" business. Of course they can attack Lieberman as anti-military. They can attack anyone as anti-military. They're already attacking the military leadership as anti-military -- why on earth would Joe Lieberman be immune.
I think we're going to win the DADT battle. Aside from the bent of the arc of history and all that jazz, the polls are strongly in our favor as well. But let's not kid ourselves. The GOP pitches a fit over any proposal to allow gays and lesbians equal status as American citizens. There is no reason to suspect they'll do any different here.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
February Blues Roundup
I've been feeling very tired these past few weeks -- both physically and academically. Someone said I had the "February blues", which depresses me (paradox!) because I like February. I find winter to be a beautiful season, and February contains my birthday.
Anyway, I think I might be snapping out of it a little. So that's good.
* * *
Write your very own incendiary blog post
Is Citizens United the perfect wedge issue for Democrats? Answer: Only if they can muster the balls to really take on corporate power.
More race-baiting in the 9th congressional district. Fortunately, this electorate in this district has proven itself against these sorts of campaign tactics -- though Cohen's opponent poses easily the toughest challenge of his congressional career.
New Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) reverses non-discrimination protections for gay state workers.
Fortunately, the American people are moving in the right direction on gay rights.
And the Jewish Council on Public Affairs is also set to endorse DADT repeal.
Arizona's proposed rule barring all use of foreign or religious law in state court adjudication is unbelievably stupid.
Jon Chait eviscerates the principle-less Harold Ford.
What drives the tea party movement? The fact that affluent conservative White men don't like President Obama or his policies. Wow -- shocking political development.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT): 9/11 troofer?
Anyway, I think I might be snapping out of it a little. So that's good.
* * *
Write your very own incendiary blog post
Is Citizens United the perfect wedge issue for Democrats? Answer: Only if they can muster the balls to really take on corporate power.
More race-baiting in the 9th congressional district. Fortunately, this electorate in this district has proven itself against these sorts of campaign tactics -- though Cohen's opponent poses easily the toughest challenge of his congressional career.
New Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell (R) reverses non-discrimination protections for gay state workers.
Fortunately, the American people are moving in the right direction on gay rights.
And the Jewish Council on Public Affairs is also set to endorse DADT repeal.
Arizona's proposed rule barring all use of foreign or religious law in state court adjudication is unbelievably stupid.
Jon Chait eviscerates the principle-less Harold Ford.
What drives the tea party movement? The fact that affluent conservative White men don't like President Obama or his policies. Wow -- shocking political development.
Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-UT): 9/11 troofer?
Friday, February 05, 2010
DADT Pushers
In the annals of those who support the continued exclusion of gays from the military, we've already talked about Senator John McCain's stunning reversal of his "listen to the leaders" position. Now that top military officials are onboard with repealing DADT, he no longer cares what they think! Now that's mavericky!*
But Senator McCain is hardly the only offender here. Let's look at some of the other top movers on the issue. There's Elaine Donnelly, whose professional responsibility is keeping gays out of the military, mostly by trafficking in obscene stereotyping. I enjoyed watching veteran Rep. Patrick Murphy eviscerate her in 2008 on the issue. Duncan Hunter is currently getting attention for his fear of a hermaphrodite wave, but I still recall fondly his belief that Israelis aren't "Judeo-Christian" enough to have problems with gay people.
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), beloved in the military community for savaging the patriotism of war hero Max Cleland, is worried that homosexuality is incompatible with the military's "high standards". Not an expression of hostility towards gay people at all! He also, in perhaps the most bizarre charge ever, fretted that gayness would lead to soldiers with (brace yourself) TATTOOS!
Given all that, it's almost refreshing to here some true straight talk from FRC bigwig Peter Sprigg, who flatly wants to overturn Lawrence and ban homosexuality outright. Tony Perkins, the chief of the FRC, is a military veteran himself. But he seriously indicated that he would not have chosen to serve if it meant serving next to gay and lesbian peers. Put him next to the gay and lesbian servicemembers who risk their lives for country that still sanctions official discrimination against them along several axis. I know who best represents our military traditions.
* "Mavericky" is a registered trademark of John McCain, meaning "principle-less support of whatever position is most politically expedient or ego-enhancing at the present moment." In this case, opposing DADT-repeal both helps him in a primary challenge from far-right ex-Rep. J.D. Hayworth, and sticks it to President Obama. So it's a bit of a gimme.
But Senator McCain is hardly the only offender here. Let's look at some of the other top movers on the issue. There's Elaine Donnelly, whose professional responsibility is keeping gays out of the military, mostly by trafficking in obscene stereotyping. I enjoyed watching veteran Rep. Patrick Murphy eviscerate her in 2008 on the issue. Duncan Hunter is currently getting attention for his fear of a hermaphrodite wave, but I still recall fondly his belief that Israelis aren't "Judeo-Christian" enough to have problems with gay people.
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), beloved in the military community for savaging the patriotism of war hero Max Cleland, is worried that homosexuality is incompatible with the military's "high standards". Not an expression of hostility towards gay people at all! He also, in perhaps the most bizarre charge ever, fretted that gayness would lead to soldiers with (brace yourself) TATTOOS!
Given all that, it's almost refreshing to here some true straight talk from FRC bigwig Peter Sprigg, who flatly wants to overturn Lawrence and ban homosexuality outright. Tony Perkins, the chief of the FRC, is a military veteran himself. But he seriously indicated that he would not have chosen to serve if it meant serving next to gay and lesbian peers. Put him next to the gay and lesbian servicemembers who risk their lives for country that still sanctions official discrimination against them along several axis. I know who best represents our military traditions.
* "Mavericky" is a registered trademark of John McCain, meaning "principle-less support of whatever position is most politically expedient or ego-enhancing at the present moment." In this case, opposing DADT-repeal both helps him in a primary challenge from far-right ex-Rep. J.D. Hayworth, and sticks it to President Obama. So it's a bit of a gimme.
Wednesday, February 03, 2010
Quick Eats Roundup
The law school threw a dinner party downtown for us 2Ls, to celebrate us reaching the midway (if you know Hyde Park, you'll laugh at the pun) of our law school career. The dinner felt rushed though: arrive, 10 minutes later seated and eating, courses come out rapid fire, speech by Professor Masur, buses arrive, we go home. It was impressive.
* * *
The bullet-proof tailor of Bogota. This is really, really cool. Involves a reporter getting shot in the gut.
Egyptian journalist union punishes two members for contacts with Israel. One of the writers is "editor in chief of the state-run weekly Democratiya, or Democracy", the title of which I find unbelievably ironic.
Anti-Semitic acts soared in France last year.
Radical rabbi blames gays for natural disasters, warns against eliminating DADT. For the record, Israel has let gays and lesbians serve openly for over 25 years (and it's still kicking!).
Appeals court reverses trial court decision which had thrown out genocide charges against Sudanese President Bashir; Kevin Jon Heller defends the reversal against critics.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) wants it all ways: the joy of controlling the legislative agenda, and the joy of attacking mythical "liberal extremists" for controlling the legislative agenda.
Justice Department issues a recruitment call for mentally retarded lawyers. Sarah Palin is presumably thrilled.
* * *
The bullet-proof tailor of Bogota. This is really, really cool. Involves a reporter getting shot in the gut.
Egyptian journalist union punishes two members for contacts with Israel. One of the writers is "editor in chief of the state-run weekly Democratiya, or Democracy", the title of which I find unbelievably ironic.
Anti-Semitic acts soared in France last year.
Radical rabbi blames gays for natural disasters, warns against eliminating DADT. For the record, Israel has let gays and lesbians serve openly for over 25 years (and it's still kicking!).
Appeals court reverses trial court decision which had thrown out genocide charges against Sudanese President Bashir; Kevin Jon Heller defends the reversal against critics.
Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) wants it all ways: the joy of controlling the legislative agenda, and the joy of attacking mythical "liberal extremists" for controlling the legislative agenda.
Justice Department issues a recruitment call for mentally retarded lawyers. Sarah Palin is presumably thrilled.
Tuesday, February 02, 2010
Tomorrow's Another Day Roundup
Busy busy day tomorrow -- may not have much time for blogging. Better clear the browser now.
* * *
If Nancy Grace could take on Nancy Grace.
North Korea seems to have ditched the communism facade completely, and now is embracing full on classic racist fascism.
Top defense officials are onboard with repealing DADT.
Relatedly, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who previously indicated that support from the top brass was what he needed to reconsider his support for DADT, has let anti-gay animus trump prior statements of principle. Stunning.
Why we should be especially thankful for our gay and lesbian servicemembers. Their sacrifice for a nation that fundamentally still rejects their equal citizenship is heart-rending.
Michael Klarman pops the myth that courts have been historical friends of racial minorities.
It's so scary when Jews have opinions and try to convince others to share them.
What's the trajectory of the California gay marriage litigation?
* * *
If Nancy Grace could take on Nancy Grace.
North Korea seems to have ditched the communism facade completely, and now is embracing full on classic racist fascism.
Top defense officials are onboard with repealing DADT.
Relatedly, Senator John McCain (R-AZ), who previously indicated that support from the top brass was what he needed to reconsider his support for DADT, has let anti-gay animus trump prior statements of principle. Stunning.
Why we should be especially thankful for our gay and lesbian servicemembers. Their sacrifice for a nation that fundamentally still rejects their equal citizenship is heart-rending.
Michael Klarman pops the myth that courts have been historical friends of racial minorities.
It's so scary when Jews have opinions and try to convince others to share them.
What's the trajectory of the California gay marriage litigation?
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/29/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) gave a major speech on inter-faith relations: "Somehow, we have to find a way to agree that faith may be worth dying for, but it cannot be worth killing for."
In related news, police are speculating that hate may have motivated an unemployed man to open fire in a Unitarian Church, killing five. The local press reports that the man professed a hatred of "liberals", and had books by Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, and Sean Hannity on his desk.
The drumbeat continues for the military to revisit don't ask don't tell.
Civil rights groups, such as, well, mine, are not happy with McCain's affirmative action flip.
The Kansas City Star says that closure in the Emmett Till case might help bring closure to the wounds of the civil rights era as a whole.
The city of Chula Vista, California (near San Diego) has settled a lawsuit filed by a teenager who was mistaken for thief and beaten into unconsciousness by a police officer.
The Illinois governor has vetoed funding that would help fight wrongful convictions and implement important death penalty reforms.
An American Indian prison employee in New York is suing Albany County, alleging systematic discrimination over a three year period.
The first Black justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court has died.
Time is running short for Virginia residents with criminal convictions to get their voting rights restored.
Though Obama is polling well in the Latino and Asian communities, it's still probably true that there are some danger zones.
Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) gave a major speech on inter-faith relations: "Somehow, we have to find a way to agree that faith may be worth dying for, but it cannot be worth killing for."
In related news, police are speculating that hate may have motivated an unemployed man to open fire in a Unitarian Church, killing five. The local press reports that the man professed a hatred of "liberals", and had books by Bill O'Reilly, Michael Savage, and Sean Hannity on his desk.
The drumbeat continues for the military to revisit don't ask don't tell.
Civil rights groups, such as, well, mine, are not happy with McCain's affirmative action flip.
The Kansas City Star says that closure in the Emmett Till case might help bring closure to the wounds of the civil rights era as a whole.
The city of Chula Vista, California (near San Diego) has settled a lawsuit filed by a teenager who was mistaken for thief and beaten into unconsciousness by a police officer.
The Illinois governor has vetoed funding that would help fight wrongful convictions and implement important death penalty reforms.
An American Indian prison employee in New York is suing Albany County, alleging systematic discrimination over a three year period.
The first Black justice on the Louisiana Supreme Court has died.
Time is running short for Virginia residents with criminal convictions to get their voting rights restored.
Though Obama is polling well in the Latino and Asian communities, it's still probably true that there are some danger zones.
Thursday, July 24, 2008
"Sir, nobody cares about that stuff."
I don't mean to be a one-trick pony today, but Pam has a guest-post up by Democratic Congressional candidate Ashwin Madia, who is running for retiring Rep. Jim Ramsted's Minnesota seat. Madia is a veteran and former lawyer in the Marine Corps, and he talks about his experience defending a marine who was caught downloading gay pornography. While one his fellows who had been downloading straight porn was merely given a verbal reprimand, this soldier received "a demotion in rank, loss of pay, restricted in his movements on base, and most severe of all, an administrative separation from the Marine Corps with an Other-Than-Honorable (OTH) discharge, just one step below a court martial."
Madia managed to get this result overturned, and the man was returned to his unit. But he was worried the marine might face harassment after what had happened. So Madia called his former client on the phone a few weeks later to check up on him. The marine told him calmly, "Sir, nobody cares about that stuff."
Madia has done a stellar job fundraising, which he'll need against his well-funded opponent in a swing district. But he's worth the effort, and would make a strong and progressive voice in the next Congress.
Madia managed to get this result overturned, and the man was returned to his unit. But he was worried the marine might face harassment after what had happened. So Madia called his former client on the phone a few weeks later to check up on him. The marine told him calmly, "Sir, nobody cares about that stuff."
Madia has done a stellar job fundraising, which he'll need against his well-funded opponent in a swing district. But he's worth the effort, and would make a strong and progressive voice in the next Congress.
"Forced Co-Habitation"
I wish I wish I wish I could have been at this hearing on gay soldiers serving in the military. Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA), a Iraq War vet, just rips into Elaine Donnelly, whose unbelievably reactionary testimony undoubtedly caused her position more harm than good.
See also the Post's coverage.
See also the Post's coverage.
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/24/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
An interesting profile of the Prince Williams County Police Chief, who is tasked with enforcing his counties unusually harsh anti-immigrant policies.
Conservative columnist Robert "Hit and Run" Novak has a column up alleging Democrats are blocking legislation that would make it easier for soldiers serving abroad to vote. A bit later, he hints that the real problem is that Dems want to expand the legislation to include all American expatriates. But nonetheless, I certainly agree that everything feasible should be done to allow our men and women overseas (in uniform or out) to vote as easily and efficiently as possible.
Recently retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett has an editorial calling for an end to Don't Ask Don't Tell. There really seems to be a wave of pro-equality sentiment pouring forth over the past few weeks.
Speaking of gay rights, the Washington Post calls for ending the ban on HIV positive visitors to the United States.
Three illegal immigrants were rescued from a train car they were trapped inside of in Texas. The men called 911 from a cell phone -- a precaution that officers are saying more illegal immigrants are taking when making the dangerous trek across the border.
Though integration in the military has been one of America's great success stories, it appears that Black military officers have hit a bit of a glass ceiling in terms of achieving the highest ranks.
Massachusetts has taken the first step towards insuring all laws are written using gender-neutral language.
It's worth repeating for the ump-teenth time: If you care about women's rights, you'd have to be crazy to vote McCain.
French undocumented immigrants (many who hail from former colonies) are looking to come out of the shadows.
Michigan is looking at expanding its hate crime laws.
Among the many bills Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) is holding up is the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, which would aid prosecutors trying to re-open "cold" civil rights cases.
The House Judiciary is complaining that the Department of Justice is not adequately preparing to make sure the 2008 elections are conducted fairly.
Some interesting poll data reveals that Whites and Blacks still have a pretty big gap in how they view the impact of race in America.
An interesting profile of the Prince Williams County Police Chief, who is tasked with enforcing his counties unusually harsh anti-immigrant policies.
Conservative columnist Robert "Hit and Run" Novak has a column up alleging Democrats are blocking legislation that would make it easier for soldiers serving abroad to vote. A bit later, he hints that the real problem is that Dems want to expand the legislation to include all American expatriates. But nonetheless, I certainly agree that everything feasible should be done to allow our men and women overseas (in uniform or out) to vote as easily and efficiently as possible.
Recently retired Rear Admiral Jamie Barnett has an editorial calling for an end to Don't Ask Don't Tell. There really seems to be a wave of pro-equality sentiment pouring forth over the past few weeks.
Speaking of gay rights, the Washington Post calls for ending the ban on HIV positive visitors to the United States.
Three illegal immigrants were rescued from a train car they were trapped inside of in Texas. The men called 911 from a cell phone -- a precaution that officers are saying more illegal immigrants are taking when making the dangerous trek across the border.
Though integration in the military has been one of America's great success stories, it appears that Black military officers have hit a bit of a glass ceiling in terms of achieving the highest ranks.
Massachusetts has taken the first step towards insuring all laws are written using gender-neutral language.
It's worth repeating for the ump-teenth time: If you care about women's rights, you'd have to be crazy to vote McCain.
French undocumented immigrants (many who hail from former colonies) are looking to come out of the shadows.
Michigan is looking at expanding its hate crime laws.
Among the many bills Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) is holding up is the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crime Act, which would aid prosecutors trying to re-open "cold" civil rights cases.
The House Judiciary is complaining that the Department of Justice is not adequately preparing to make sure the 2008 elections are conducted fairly.
Some interesting poll data reveals that Whites and Blacks still have a pretty big gap in how they view the impact of race in America.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Civil Rights Roundup: 07/22/08
Your daily dose of civil rights and related news
The ACLU is seeking to overturn Alabama's voter disenfranchisement law.
The Boston Globe calls on the state to restrict unequal retirement plans that pay women less than men.
Online adoption business discriminates against gay couples.
John McCain: Anti-contraception.
16 years after "the year of the women", women still account for less than 25% of legislators. PS: Barbara Mikulski, still a BAMF.
Research shows: discrimination still quite present in the lending and credit industries.
The Houston Chronicle is livid over how immigrants were treated after a raid on a meatpacking plant.
Is California ready to vote for a gay-rights governor (Arnold, apparently, doesn't count).
A Michigan report says that obese workers are as effective as thin ones. Michigan bans weight discrimination.
A tremendous backlog still exists for testing rape evidence.
As troop levels drop, Democrats are getting more aggressive about repealing DADT.
A South Carolina town is looking to initiate its own crackdown on illegal immigrants. Th bill failed the council by one vote -- one councilman said he had a hang up about the law's "English only" policy.
7th Circuit: termination due to infertility treatments is sex discrimination. The case is Hall v. Nalco Co..
Is my (barely paid) internship exploiting me?
The ACLU is seeking to overturn Alabama's voter disenfranchisement law.
The Boston Globe calls on the state to restrict unequal retirement plans that pay women less than men.
Online adoption business discriminates against gay couples.
John McCain: Anti-contraception.
16 years after "the year of the women", women still account for less than 25% of legislators. PS: Barbara Mikulski, still a BAMF.
Research shows: discrimination still quite present in the lending and credit industries.
The Houston Chronicle is livid over how immigrants were treated after a raid on a meatpacking plant.
Is California ready to vote for a gay-rights governor (Arnold, apparently, doesn't count).
A Michigan report says that obese workers are as effective as thin ones. Michigan bans weight discrimination.
A tremendous backlog still exists for testing rape evidence.
As troop levels drop, Democrats are getting more aggressive about repealing DADT.
A South Carolina town is looking to initiate its own crackdown on illegal immigrants. Th bill failed the council by one vote -- one councilman said he had a hang up about the law's "English only" policy.
7th Circuit: termination due to infertility treatments is sex discrimination. The case is Hall v. Nalco Co..
Is my (barely paid) internship exploiting me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
