Giant Crack in Africa Will Create a New Ocean

Sometimes science can be so cool to read about...

Gay Tourists Verboten From the Vatican?

“The church teachings are from the Bible. If we change this teaching, we will not be the Catholic Church. Don’t expect the Catholic church to change these issues, because it is our identity.” When asked if the Vatican is open to dialogue about welcoming such homosexual groups of tourists in the future, Bishop Kaleta responded that “such demonstrations are just not ethical.”

Publisher Steinmetz clarified that what was meant by gay travel was traveling for the purpose of a visit, not as a demonstration. To this the Bishop replied, “I consider if someone is homosexual, it is a provocation and an abuse of this place. Try to go to a mosque if you are not Muslim. It is abuse of our buildings and our religion because the church interprets our religion that it is not ethical. We expect respect of our church as we expect to respect that a person does not have to belong to the Catholic Church. If you have different ideas, go to a different location.” - Bishop Janusz Kaleta quoted in eTurbo News

Perhaps His Grace needs to re-read the Catholic Catechism and various statements from the Holy See on homosexuality. I can certainly understand an annoyance with demonstrations, I dislike those as well when they occur at religious institutions, but expressing a distaste for even tourists who are gay just visiting the Vatican seems to go against even what the Church teaches. So not even gay tourists, eh? Kind of ironic considering how many gays were involved with decorating the place. Perhaps this explains the Holy See's silence concerning the goings on in Uganda because apparently gay tourists are a bigger problem.

'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' Comes Out of the Closet - To the Point on KCRW

Very interesting debate from a couple of weeks ago regarding DADT and the recent Joint Forces Quarterly article on this subject:

"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" Comes Out of the Closet - To the Point on KCRW

Cement’s basic molecular structure finally decoded

Considering how important cement is in my field, as well as to building in all modern nations, this is an interesting find.

"Her R71 ballot was the last document that she attached her signature to."

Nice story.

Rise in numbers of undocumented Irish being deported from U.S.

The numbers of undocumented Irish people being deported from America have risen again over the past 12 months.

A total of 117 people were deported in the year to September 2009, up from 94 the previous year.

In addition, some 456 people were denied entry to the U.S. in the same 12-month period. (Irish Central)

Something to keep in mind when discussing immigration and the charges of "racism" are bandied around. It's not all about Latinos. There are quite a number of illegals from Canada, the EU, Russia and non-EU Eastern European countries as well.

Where's that "love the sinner" we hear about?

Leaders from the Church of Uganda, Orthodox, Pentecostal, Seventh Day Adventist, and the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council, unanimously supported the Bill, but called for a change in the penalties.

“Can death as a form of punishment help one to reform? Some people are convicted of murder but after they have been killed, it’s proved they were innocent. What would be done in such circumstances? We should emphasise life imprisonment,” said Aron Mwesigye, the secretary for the Church of Uganda. (New Vision)

Ah yes, there's that "love of Christ" I've come to expect from religious extremists. Life imprisonment instead of death, eh? Now that's compassion worthy of the Gospel! /sarcasm

Timothy Kincaid rightly wonders about the silence of American Christian churches too busy leading the charge against gay rights here in our country while ignoring what their brethren in places like Uganda are up to. I didn’t see it listed in this news article, but though I am a lapsed Catholic I do have to wonder where the hell is the Catholic Church in Uganda?

*chirping crickets*

Funny, Catholic bishops in the United States seem to discuss homosexuality in the political arena quite often. Perhaps their brethren in Uganda are just a bit shy. Then again, it’s probably difficult to defend those for whom one is "contemptuous of [their] existence or worth".

Perhaps His Lordship Matthias Ssekamanya and Bishop of Lugazi Diocese or one of his brother bishops can explain their silence? Well for anyone who is curious to find out:

Uganda Catholic Secretariat
Plot 672, Hanlon Road,
Nsambya Hill
P.O. Box 2886,
KAMPALA, Uganda
Tel: +256 414 510389, 510570/510544/510571
Fax: +256 41 510545
E-mail: uec@infocom.co.ug
http://www.uecon.org/

Help WA, ME and Kalamazoo Win on November 3rd

Note: I am posting this because I support the efforts below but I do NOT share all of the "progressive" goals espoused by the website this comes from. Yet on those matters we can bicker another day...

Washington:

Who we are: Approve Referendum 71 is the campaign to preserve domestic partnerships in Washington State. By voting to approve, voters retain the domestic partnership laws that were passed during this year's legislative session, including using sick leave to care for a partner, adoption rights, insurance rights, and more.

What we need: We need phone bankers to get our supporters out to vote. Washington is an all mail-in ballot state, and we need to ensure our supporters put their ballots in the mail. Also, youth turnout is a critical component of our campaign, and youth turnout historically drops in off-year elections. So we need a lot of help to turn them out.

How you do it: Sign up here to make remote calls for Approve 71. We'll then contact you for a training, and you can make GOTV calls.

Maine:

Who we are: The No On 1/Protect Maine Equality campaign is working to protect Maine's recently-passed law legalizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. Our opponents have put the issue on the ballot for Nov 3, 2009. Because of Maine's early voting election laws, people are already voting at the polls, so we need help immediately to turn out our side at the polls.

What we need: We need you to devote a few hours to Call for Equality. Call for Equality is a virtual phonebank set up so that you can call Maine voters wherever you are. Much of Maine is rural, where canvassing isn't effective, so we need to reach these voters- along with other supporters- by phone. All you need is a phone and internet connection. No experience required! We'll provide the training, and all you need is a a few hours to help get a win in Maine.

How you do it: Click here to sign up for a training and your shift. There are lots of times available for your convenience.

Kalamazoo, MI:

Who We Are: The Yes on Ordinance 1856 / One Kalamazoo campaign is working in Michigan to support the City Commission of Kalamazoo's twice approved ordinance for housing, employment, and public accommodation protections for gay and transgender residents. Opponents forced a public referendum on the ordinance so dedicated local volunteers, led by former Stonewall Democrats Executive Director Jon Hoadley, are working to ensure voters say YES to fairness and equality and keep Ordinance 1856.

Why The Urgency: In the final weeks, the opposition has gone all out with aggressive disinformation and misleading red herrings to try to defeat the ordinance. This includes signs that say "No to Discrimination" (even though voting No actually supports continued discrimination of GLBT residents), transphobic door hangers and fliers, and now radio ads that falsely suggest that criminal behavior will become legal when this simply isn't true. The Yes on Ordinance 1856 supporters are better organized but many voters who want to vote for gay and transgender people are getting confused by the opposition.

How To Help:

1) Help the One Kalamazoo campaign raise a final $10,000 specifically dedicated to fight back against the lies on the local TV and radio airwaves and fully fund the campaign's final field and GOTV efforts.

Give here: http://www.actblue.com/page/3-2-1-countdown

2) If you live nearby and can physically volunteer in Kalamazoo sign up here. If you know anyone that lives in Kalamazoo, use the One Kalamazoo campaign's online canvass tool to remind those voters that they need to vote on November 3rd and vote YES on Ordinance 1856 to support equality for gay and transgender people.

Contact voters: http://www.onekalamazoo.com/tellfriends2

Ancient Sparta Repeals DADT

Pretty funny skit from SNL.

"Thomas Paine's" Open Letter to President Obama

I somehow missed the videos from "Thomas Paine" that went viral a few months ago. I rather like these and I find it hilarious that the guy portraying Paine is a former actor from the 70s Hawaii Five-O TV show!



While this video is addressed to President Obama, what I find interesting about it is that it could be directed at just about every president and congresscritter that have been in office during my lifetime. Basso's choice of Thomas Paine to portray in these videos is probably quite appropriate as the real Paine if he were around today would be taking all of our politicians to the proverbial woodshed.

(this is also posted over on Gay Patriot)

Glenn Beck Hilariously Mocks the Media for Balloon Boy Coverage

I'm not a Beck fan myself, but this is going around the Net and I have to admit that this is really funny!