PART ONE IN A SERIES: FACES OF DISCRIMINATION

(Started writing on Tuesday 2/24/09. )

Getting my 3 year old into her car seat is mission impossible!  I can make it happen but it sure takes a lot of strategy and maneuvering.   On this Tuesday morning, I was more than willing to play ASH, (the boy who controls the Pokemon) with my child as  Pikachu,) the Pokemon with the powers unleashed by ASH’s commands,) it did not take long to realize that in our version, unlike its TV counterpart, Ash is in fact not in charge but our little yellow and lightning –bolt- tailed friend, is.

After dropping ‘Pikachu- Bolt -Baby –Dog- Chu’ at school I rush (not sure why; work is scarce) down to the Marin County Courts to do my morning justice, or do justice to my morning, whichever appropriate in times like this!  

Lo and behold, “the force still with me,” somehow found myself powered to the Court of Judge Lynn O’ Mally Taylor.  I was drawn by the stark contrast between the African American woman sitting at the Public Defender‘s table and the all white ‘jury of her peers’ – did I say peers?  There were 6 white men, 4 white women, 1 Asian man, one Latina woman and one white male alternate juror.

I realized my ‘Pokemonesque’ presence was no coincidence. I simply needed to be there! The charges against the woman, whose name I shall not publish, lest I contribute to her further embarrassment, especially if she is found to be not guilty, was an infraction of the  California Penal Code-§653.22, in sum:-   Loitering with the intent to commit prostitution.

On the face of it the evidence seemed stacked against her; I watched as three San Rafael veteran officers and one rookie police officer testified for the prosecution.  What further piqued my curiosity was the testimony of the officers who spoke of frequent prior contacts with the Defendant, supposedly in the past six months, a concomitant of the circumstantial evidence that may be used to point to intent for this occurrence.  This citation occurred on 9/14/07 and the prior contacts were apparently on 8/7/07 and 8/06/07.  I was perplexed as to how the prior contacts could be used in evidence to support the element of intent, if she was not actually arrested those previous times for prostitution.  As the Defendants counsel quite rightly pointed out to the jury in closing argument, the police did not have probable cause on the previous occasions otherwise they would have arrested her.  So what seems odd to me  is  that a jury be expected to use a non event as evidence of intent for this event!  

 Once the Judge sent the jury to deliberate and the two attorneys were leaving the court room I approached firstly the young and astute public defender, Adam Cole, esq. and asked if he would grant me an interview after the verdict came in.  I expressed my interest in juries of Marin and he seemed delighted to have an opportunity to share his experience and expertise. The Prosecutor from the DA’s office, Ms. Jordan Green, Esq. was also forthcoming as she too agreed to be available to my citizenry and curiosity. I told both that I had planned on writing about this for my Oblogdeeoblgda Blog.

While waiting for the Jury to deliberate, I compiled my questions:

1.      How long was the trial?

2.      Why did it take from 2007 to 2009 to bring it before the Court?

3.      Was this a case of police harassment and/or racial profiling, evident from the testimony of all four  police offers?

4.      How many African Americans or people of color were present at Jury selection? 

5.      How many were let go and why?

6.      Were her constitutional rights violated?

Leaving Court on this final day of the case, I am headed  for pick-up- – yes  ‘Pikachu- Bolt -Baby –Dog- Chu’ and I are about ready for another game; mmmm… or am I still in the same game, succumbing to those extraneous forces that control and lead?

PART TWO TO APPEAR SOON… THE VERDICT…THE QUESTIONS…..AND MORE

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[1] California Penal Code-§653.22.  
(a) It is unlawful for any person to loiter in any public place with the intent to commit prostitution.  This intent is
evidenced by acting in a manner and under circumstances which openly demonstrate the purpose of inducing, enticing, or soliciting
prostitution, or procuring another to commit prostitution.    
(b) Among the circumstances that may be considered in determining whether a person loiters with the intent to commit prostitution are that the person:
 (1) Repeatedly beckons to, stops, engages in conversations with, or attempts to stop or engage in conversations with passersby,
indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
(2) Repeatedly stops or attempts to stop motor vehicles by hailing the drivers, waving arms, or making any other bodily gestures, or engages or attempts to engage the drivers or passengers of the motor vehicles in conversation, indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
(3) Has been convicted of violating this section, subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 647, or any other offense relating to or involving
prostitution, within five years of the arrest under this section.
 (4) Circles an area in a motor vehicle and repeatedly beckons to, contacts, or attempts to contact or stop pedestrians or other
motorists, indicative of soliciting for prostitution.
 (5) Has engaged, within six months prior to the arrest under this section, in any behavior described in this subdivision, with the exception of paragraph (3), or in any other behavior indicative of prostitution activity.    (c) The list of circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) is not exclusive.  The circumstances set forth in subdivision (b) should be considered particularly salient if they occur in an area that is known for prostitution activity.  Any other relevant circumstances may be considered in determining whether a person has the requisite intent.  Moreover, no one circumstance or combination of circumstances is in itself determinative of intent.  Intent must be determined based on an evaluation of the particular circumstances of each case.
 

osCAr nEWLY Defined

OSCAR- Equality now- Wow MILK

BEST ORIGINAL SCREEN PLAY – - What courage thank you for your WIN your visibility your dream your words and your hope- how powerful and moving. Wkae up America Please! Equality now ! Dustin Lance Black you have the torc h… thanks for lighting the rest of the way…

Gallery 1

What have we learnt

What the US media did to Gary Condit was unconscionable. I recall them hounding that man and his career being destroyed, all over an affair with an intern, (Chandra Levy.).  The case stands out for me especially because it went on and on, ad nauseam, as the media sought every sensational crumb.  It took the falling of the two World Trade Center buildings to shock the media into the real world; the world of the starving, the world of aids orphans, chopped hands in Rwanda, genocides and more, shunned in those preceding months. 

Only to find that the American public had been led down that path of ignorance as we all studiously fell sucker to the nebulous development of the day.  (Or were we led – another post maybe? we can turn to global media) We failed to look at world news – and then we became the victims, here on our own turf. But the question remains have we learnt the lesson or are we still being led into self absorption at the expense of invalidating those who ought to count too?

PROP 8 = HATE

 ”READ ALL ABOUT IT!”

http://www.sacbee.com/prop8/

 

 

 

 

 

 

George F. Will: Prop. 8 suit likely to lengthen gays’ marriage struggle

By George F. Will – Published: Thursday, January 15 2009 – 12:00 am

“Last November, 13,402,566 California voters expressed themselves for or against Proposition 8, which said that their state’s constitution should be amended to define marriage as a relationship between a man and a woman. The voters, confident that they had a right to decide this question by referendum, endorsed Proposition 8 by a margin of 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent. “

Hilton Hotels executive Gregory Dillon dies at 86

http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_11749242

http://www.marinij.com/national/ci_11749242

 see LA times Picture:
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/california/la-me-passings21-2009feb21,0,1838631.story 

Thanksgiving this year was special. We went down to LA and stayed with cousins Jenine and her husband Greg.  It was a small and intimate dinner with much warmth and abundant hospitality, not to mention the most delicious dinner. Gregory reminisced about his early days as a lawyer; how he joined the Hilton Corporation as an assistant to Conrad Hilton.

He traveled around the world to negotiate Hilton contracts and established a corporate properties division that oversaw planning, financing and construction of Hilton projects.  He later held other executive posts and in 1977 was elected to the corporation’s board of directors. He was named vice chairman and director emeritus in 1996; and in his retirement years worked with the Hilton Foundation.

He married my cousin over ten years ago and they lived together in Los Angeles       devoted to their two dogs; just before Thanksgiving a woman, with a mixed breed hound in tow, knocked at their front door, declaring that she had heard of the Dillon’s reputation for taking in homeless dogs and of course they did not hesitate at the idea.  By the time we got there for TG doggie #3 was firmly entrenched, jumping on beds and couches with the fervor of a dog with tenure.

Gregory’s dedication to the Hilton Hotel Group was insurmountable and I thought how fortunate the company was to have someone so dedicated and trustworthy, for so many decades, especially in this most extraordinary milieu of the so called ‘honorable’ turning out to be not so honorable (say I politely.)   Undoubtedly his legacy will reflect not only his brilliance but his unwavering devotion.

Next week I will be going back to their LA home, but this time for Gregory’s funeral. 

Greg, may you rest in peace- and my dear ‘Cuzzie Ninsky’ may you find your solace in knowing that no one could have ever been there more for their spouse than you. You had so much on your shoulders and you did such an extraordinary job taking care of Gregory’s every need.  G-d Bless during this difficult time- yo cuz.

QUOTE “”His warmth and sincerity, and his irrepressible Irish charm, will long be remembered by our family, and by our extended hotel family around the world. He is an irreplaceable friend that I’ll sorely miss.” Barron Hilton

 

PER: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/topics/?topic=Gregory+Russell+Dillon

 A rosary will be held at 5 p.m. Sunday at Gates, Kingsley & Gates Funeral Chapel, 1925 Arizona Ave. in Santa Monica. A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Monday at Saint Paul the Apostle Church, Ohio and Selby Avenues in Westwood.   In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to either Saint John’s Health Center Foundation, 1328 22nd St., Santa Monica, CA 90404-2091, or Las Floristas, Inc., c/o Maggie Simms, 10071 Valley Spring Lane, Toluca Lake, CA 91602.

 

 

 

 

 

aRt du jouR

WHICH KIDNEY SHOULD I SELL MY LEFT OR MY RIGHT?

Question: WHICH KIDNEY SHOULD I SELL MY LEFT OR MY RIGHT?  
ANSWER: “I don’t know ma’am you choose!” 
This is how the conversation ended between me and a debt collector.

Sometime last year, around the month of August, when my income producing work had all but subsided, I stopped paying my Bank of America credit card; yes I did! As embarrassing as it is to admit, I decided that paying my mortgage and food on the table for the kids ought to be my number one priority.

I made several attempts to honor my debt with bank of America (about $2000 before the fees started going crazy and managed to negotiate a reduced interest rate –from 29.99% to about 7%) I kept on track for some time and then found that given my family necessities; I just could not make the miserable $100 payment per month any longer. My, my how life had changed!

Bank of America handed the debt over for collections; and my phone rang non-stop at least 4 – 8 times per day.  I would answer and there would be silence on the line, other than a strange sound; I would wait hoping for a response, at least so I could end the annoying calls – and then would get fed up and put the phone down.   I have now figured out where the calls were coming from.

About a week ago I received a phone call on my mobile phone.   The man introduced himself as Mr. Jones and then proceeded in the most unimaginably aggressive tome to tell me that he represented Bank of America and he was collecting on a $3,400 debt on their behalf. If I paid now, immediately on the phone,  with my checking account information or with someone else’s (if I could borrow) then he would only charge $1750 and I would be released from the balance of the debt, without further action or consequence.

I asked him who he worked for and he said National Enterprise Systems.  What I found odd was that he did not commence the conversation with the requisite, “I am a debt collector” – or any other disclosure for that matter.   I asked him how was I to trust that this was not a hoax call as he had called me cold.  His response was for me to three way BOFA and I said I did not have a clue how to do it and when asking him for the relevant number he changed the subject, becomming even more agressive.  You would have thought that I had “shot the sheriff. “ I asked for permission to tape the call and  he agreed-  and that is exactly what I did, including the three calls that followed.

Long story short the gist of the conversation was him trying to trap me into saying that I was refusing to settle my debt and if that were the case then they were going to sue me the very next day.  This man pushed so hard to get $1700 out of someone who had ly stated she had no money to pay.  I repeated the following mantra over and over – amazed that he was so willing to continue in this vein given that he was aware he was being taped.  “Sir, I am not refusing to pay my debt, if in fact this is my debt, I simply do not have $1700.00; in fact I barely have enough money to buy food for my children this month.”  “So then you are refusing to pay,”  he would repeat and so it would go.  “You are lazy if you are not working – you can borrow the money from a relative – why did you spend money on your card – your are stealing – you have to pay now or you will have to pay punitive damages..blah ..blah” (huh?) After the insults he   proceeded to quote all my personal information which he had probably obtained from  my credit report.   The latter disturbed me – here was this abusive, aggressive and threatening stranger telling me all my personal information.  It was shocking and very distressing – he was so angry- is he gooing to send a hit man for the $1700?

About 4 hours later I received another phone call, supposedly from a different department and different person – his name was Mr Jones too, I guess Mr. Jones #2, , also from National Enterprise Systems.  He thought he was dealing with a complete moron (– maybe only morons allow their credit card delinquencies to get this far- ) when he started the call by stating that he was calling about a Complaint that had been filed against me, (yes miserable me!) with the State of California – well of course #2 was presenting his bogus stance on behalf of Bank of America. The call has too much to expose here – however I sat back in disbelief as his insults and incoherent ranting added to my cause of action. Gosh he was determined to get the non-existent $1700 and so it was then and after 12 minutes of pure abuse, that I asked him which kidney he wanted me to sell, my left or my right; and yes he did answer, I don’t know Ma’am you choose.”

Stay tuned for PART 2 of the of  “WHICH Kidney –..”

Additional information: Google search engine reveals the following  –- www.NES1.com is the website for National Wenterprise Systems; Company owner is Ernest Pollack,  his wife Ellen – listed as Secretary of the Corporation  and son Scott holds a managerial position.    

NES, Inc. an Arizona Corporation doing business in Ohio has hundred of allegations against them on the internet of people who have been ‘terrorized’ by this bunch.  Some, having fallen prey by giving checking information leading to more drawn out of their accounts than they had consented to.  See the following if you are interested in reading further. 

 http://www.complaintsboard.com/bycompany/national-enterprise-systems-a38274.html

 http://www.google.com/search?l=en&rlz=1T4GGIH_enUS234US234&q=national+Enterprise+systems

WHISTLEBLOWERS  and VICTIMS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONTACT ME at custody2008@gmail.com – information will be kept confidential.  

Permission to copy and reprint required- contact custody2008@gmail.com
©Which Kidney, all rights reserved- picture &content; Copyright – Melanie Nathan-2009

Dubai Disappoints

Very sad that UAE has taken a stance to mix sport and politics.  It has refiused a visa to 21 year old Israeli tennis champ,  Shahar Peer.  It is heartwarming to note however that there has been an international outcry against Dubai for allowing this to happen, with calls for censure.  If you read the news reports you will notice the lame excuses which Dubai tennis authorty has cited as the reason for doing this, purpoting to being concerned about the well being of Shahar herself.     

Haaretz,  quotes WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott  as follows : “We are deeply disappointed by the decision of the United Arab Emirates denying Shahar Peer a visa that would permit her to enter the country to play in the Dubai Tennis Championships,”  and further  “All the players support Shahar,” said Venus Williams, who is in Dubai for the tournament. “We are all athletes and we stand for tennis. The players have to be unified and support the tour whichever direction they take on the issue.”  Added French Open champion Ana Ivanovic of Serbia:  ”I really don’t like sports to be mixed with politics.”  http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1064269.html

.  At the time of being awarded the tournament in Dubai, they had promised WTA specifically that israelis would be allowed into the Country.  I have no doubt that UAE will suffer the effects of this decision on many different levels for many years to come.

I hope all who read this act appropriately when considering DUBAI as a place to do business….

 Dick Cheney?  are you going to keep your mouth shut on this one?

Tribute to the 9/11 widow on flight 3407…

My digital clock reflects its bloody blinking at 9:11
I am affixed as the minute is longer than any other
and reminded of this catastrophic day
by the time constraints of every day  
 when my digital clock calls
for my gaze
at 9:11 am 
each
and
every
day

©Melanie Nathan 2009

“One of the victims of Continental Flight 3407, Beverly Eckert, was a Sept. 11 widow who put her never-ending grief to good use to make the country safer.”  (MSNBC)

AMERICANS IN EXILE – http://www.hrcbackstory.org/

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/ 
Today was an exciting start to the re-launch of UAFA – Uniting American Families Act;  with all that has been written about the separation of couples, American citizens living in exile to be with their loved ones, very few have mentioned our American children who are the most vulnerable their best interests cast aside by the very authorities who purport to be their “upper guarndians.”  Imagine being an American child, and unlike children of different-sexy parentsm our American parent cannot petition for your other non American parent to remain in the USA?   Its abhorant!   Most here in the US have no idea that this is a problem for their fellow citizens,  and that it is  so prevalent- with 30,ooo or more couples impacted by this failure in the immigration system.   http://www.loveexiles.org/

Join the voices for change and justice and tell our stories to your friends. call your reps and have them VOTE the vote for immigration equality.  Please contact Senator feinstein and ask where she is on this matter.

Just Not Married

“Just Not Married!”

This 12th annual Freedom to Marry Week is BIG especially in the wake of California’s ferociously destructive Proposition 8.    Freedom to Marry events are being held all around the country (listed on LGBT Web Activist websites.)

Today, as part of a nationwide protest, hundreds of same-sex couples seeking to wed demonstrated at marriage bureaus and county clerks’ offices from New York City to California, in communities large and small. 

They were, of course, turned away, and albeit expected, some emoted with signs, “Just Not Married,” (Source :SFGATE; online…, V. Dobnik.)

Lest we forget…… Bankers, Bailouts and Congress

valentine time

As my spouse asks, “What are you getting me for Valentine’s day?” I wonder how this started; not only the holiday (uh holiday?) but also the entitlement, conferred upon the self-proclaimed beneficiaries of this day.  Does it matter though if we can simply make it up as we go along? Just shop Americas that is all i want to Say but read on for fun anyway…

I remember as a kid (and for some reason my memory relates Valentines day with school) this was a day that one asked someone else to be their Valentine.  All that time ago, it seemed a benign request, to ask someone to be one’s Valentine; it was a designation pronounced by card for only that one day. Albeit a loving act, it was always conveyed sheepishly, either by mail or by surreptitious placement under the beneficiary’s desk.  Our miserable egos, victims of some ancient, yet anonymous legend or myth, would silently pray for reciprocity; for one measly card from anyone, in return.

So I searched the internet and came up with the following possible theories for the origination of Valentine’s Day.

Valentine was a third-century priest who served under the rule of Roman Emperor Claudius II, who prohibited young men from getting married. The emperor believed that would make them better soldiers, but Valentine continued to secretly marry young couples. He was discovered and sentenced to death. Legend has it that while in prison, Valentine fell in love with a young girl, presumably the jailor’s daughter. A day before the persecution, Valentine wrote her a letter and signed it, “From your Valentine.”  (mm okay…… 6 out of 10 points for this story)

Romancing with goat blood:-  Valentine’s Day can also be connected to the pagan festival of Lupercalia celebrated in ancient Rome on Feb. 15. Young women would place their names in a hollow. Single men would pick a name of the woman he would romance for a year. Boys would sacrifice a goat and use its skin and blood to go around the streets and touch women. It was believed that the goat’s skin would make them more fertile.  (not so okay,  for some reason this one bothers me…. I mean the date for one year and fertility notion.)

Twelfth century poetry:- In 1382, English writer Geoffrey Chaucer wrote the poem, “Parlement of Foules,” which includes the following line: “For this was on seynt Volantynys day?/Whan euery bryd comyth there to chese his make.  (wow for the power of Geoff – imagine if it had been that sanguine Monk up to his monkey business!)

None of these explanations satisfy me, and one can see that the eras  contributed to new meaning; so I we can make up our own legend too.  What would be wrong with one made for this century?

Once upon a time, in February of 2009, in a faraway land, called America. It was located on planet earth, during the time of that planets most extreme ailing, the one that lead us to now.  They had elected a dashing young new leader to take them through the troubled times with an impending financial catastrophe,   caused by the devilish regime that had previously ruled.  Cut a long story short, they desperately needed a stimulus package – something to reinvigorate their economy so people could survive the worst housing crisis ever, war, famine, and would you believe mortgage meltdown.   The Republican Party would not budge, they refused to provide their votes to help the President enact his plan.  The President eventually agreed to cut education funding and they reached a compromise.

On the morning of February 14^th the President acknowledged a stupendous miracle when he signed this Bill enacted by Congress and Senate:-“American families here is $600 each – go out and spend it.  “Buy American, create a new industry, one where we all flatter each other.   Think HALLMARK card; buy one for your Aunt, one for your Uncle, also your sister, your dog, your child, oh yes and your beloved too and because Xmas is in December and Thanksgiving in November, we will call it a Valentines Card, as a symbol for our love of bi-partisanship”  Oh yes the name Valentine is based on a Saint who happened to die on the 14^th of February 269 AD; we can only presume it was St, Valentine who presided over this wonderful miracle.”

 

Olivia Cruises at the Helm…

 San Francisco Chronicle travel section – please read…..  http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/08/TRT115BHAC.DTL

 Gay marriages – all aboard…

Urge Your Reps

Been on my mind for eight years…. Immigration rights for bi-national gay  and lesbian permanent partners now seeks refuge in the UAFA – Uniting American Families Act.  Nice name…. But that is what it seeks to do… this is a no-brainer.   It MUST be done. Please urge your rep to co-sponsor or sign on to it.  Details to follow. Its late and I am tired! ttfn…

Oh yes, Mr. President – first day flying Air-force -One.  Great speech on separating church and state, using anti hate as theme… nice …. maybe we will be okay.  For the first time inn eight years I am willing to acknowledge that we have A PRESIDENT.  Every time Bush came on TV I just had to turn it off.  He butchered my senses.

ATTENTION, I said “A.tT.e-N?T/ioN?”

http://sugarandmedicine.wordpress.com/2009/02/07/corrective-rape-lesbians-under-attack-black-south-african-lesbians-live-in-constant-fear-of-being-attacked-raped-and-murdered/#comments

Unbelievable crime stats on RAPE in South Africa. 

Food for thought: This is a disaster – Why is this so bad?  Was apartheid a better deal when it came to controlling crime? Was Saddam Hussein a better deal than 1,000,000 civilian deaths?

©copyright Melanie Nathan. All rihts reserved.

South African Constitutional Court

 

 South Africa / President Kgalema Motlanthe appoints justice Edwin Cameron as Judge of the Constitutional Court
 PRETORIA, South Africa, December 31, 2008/African Press Organization (APO)/ — In terms of section 174 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, President Kgalema Motlanthe has appointed Justice Edwin Cameron as a Judge of the Constitutional Court.

Congratulations – to a teacher and a friend – Gosh!  I remember when Edwin taught Jurisprudence to me as a junior lecturer at WITS University School of Law.  Years later we became close friends and I was one of the first people he came out to. We used to go to clubs together, never revealing our respective orientations. Now all these many years later he has accomplished such an extraordinary amount – his work- his humanity and of course as the first public official to admit to HIV status, his heroism.  Edwin, dear friend may you go from strength to strength.

PAS Parental Alienation Syndrome

Judge blocks sending teen for deprogramming treatment
KIRK MAKIN

 

Read this- but remember the Judge refers to the disorder as quakery – the so called need to deprogram and treat PAS;  that does not mean parents do not alientae children from each other- or at least attempt to do so.  The worst remedy in my opinion is to punish a child for his parents misdeeds by taking the child away from one parent and giving custody to gthe other. Maybe the parents should be ordered to re-programming. We can call is FTCS -” Failure to co-parent syndrome” – or has FTCS already been taken?

OKAY SO I SUCCUMB

Even though youmay be distracted – reading this more important message – DO NOT forget dear friends, to read my UAFA posts…. too! Thanks

Okay: Succomb- I am writing about economic  stimulus and the ‘crouching Democrats ‘and  ’hidden Republicans.’   Today there is a special session of Congress. Maybe 2 or 3 republicans are holding out.  Kerry’s impassioned plea  was enlihghtening especially to those who barely paid attention a year ago.This is the gist of it;- Republicans say they do not want to borrow. (okay?)   Kerry says there are no choices other than borrowing – other than raising taxes – not an option or stop spending- and the latter is happening anyway… in case you did not notice. There is no money to spend for amost people.  He  was amongst those who pleaded with George Bush et al a year ago to do something about mortgage interest rates. They warned that people were being thrown out of their homes; that thousands were paying way above prime interests rates and that if these could be reduces (all that time ago) many could stay in their homes.    What ended up happening – the Republicans got in the way at that time of passing any legislation that could help.  Ten thousand homes a day were lost thereafter.   Need we say more about the ripple effect – up and down on this one!     All I can say is President Obama – get those three on Board -   the best way to do it is to get on the campaign road again and go to the constituents of these tenuous legislators and draw huge crowds again and have em yell- “Yes we can!  ”   Maybe that will awake the sleeping few. mmmm

Uniting American Families Act – Call your Senators- spare no mercy

Okay so we are in serious financial doodoo and it IS impossible to reach anyone in congress.  That said, please do not let go of the momentum (relative as it may be – to years of nothing) on UAFA.

Quote : “UAFA Gains Cosponsors, Momentum in Congress

Filed under: UAFA — Julie Kruse @ 3:00 pm

September was a huge month for the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA) in Washington. Four new Senators and eighteen Representatives came on to the bill, bring our total number of cosponsors to a record eighteen Senators and 118 House Members – increases of 30% and 20% respectively.”

Now that the 110th is seated.. we must all do our part to fight for equality in immigration for all Americans. Yes there are Americans in exile right now, and for many years, separated from aging parents,  tocan be with the person they love.  American citizens are forced to leave their own country to be with partners as there are no immigration rights for same sex couples. 

COSPONSORS(18), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Sen Akaka, Daniel K. [HI] – 2/14/2008	Sen Boxer, Barbara [CA] – 9/11/2007
Sen Brown, Sherrod [OH] – 5/16/2007	Sen Cantwell, Maria [WA] – 9/16/2008
Sen Cardin, Benjamin L. [MD] – 7/23/2008	Sen Casey, Robert P., Jr. [PA] – 9/11/2008
Sen Dodd, Christopher J. [CT] – 9/8/2008	Sen Feingold, Russell D. [WI] – 5/14/2007
Sen Inouye, Daniel K. [HI] – 5/15/2007	Sen Kennedy, Edward M. [MA] – 8/3/2007
Sen Kerry, John F. [MA] – 9/4/2007	Sen Lautenberg, Frank R. [NJ] – 9/26/2007
Sen Menendez, Robert [NJ] – 1/31/2008	Sen Murray, Patty [WA] – 9/20/2007
Sen Sanders, Bernard [VT] – 1/30/2008	Sen Schumer, Charles E. [NY] – 9/11/2008
Sen Whitehouse, Sheldon [RI] – 9/4/2007	Sen Wyden, Ron [OR] – 5/7/2008

Where is Senator Feinstein?  Why are there so few of you here?  All if you received our votes now we need you to help our families.
Pleas check if your Senator is here – every Democratic Senator should be here…. for goodness sake!

UAFA – Please – Now!!!Urgent – slam dunk 110th

UAFA would amend the Immigration and Nationality Act by adding the term “permanent partner” next to “spouse” for immigration to the U.S.  Gay and lesbian couples would be subject to the same standards of proof that they are in a committed, life-long relationships and are financially interdependent as opposite-sex couples.  

Urge your reps please………………….  

Under the current system, thousands of lesbian and gay binational couples are forced into exile abroad, long-distance relationships or separation as a result.   Faced with splitting families and taking children from the land of their birth – sometimes separating children from parent -this serves no public policy function and contradicts the central goal of U.S. immigration policy – family unification.  UAFA would remedy this injustice.

H.R.2221
Title: To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to eliminate discrimination in the immigration laws by permitting permanent partners of United States citizens and lawful permanent residents to obtain lawful permanent resident status in the same manner as spouses of citizens and lawful permanent residents and to penalize immigration fraud in connection with permanent partnerships.
Sponsor: Rep Nadler, Jerrold [NY-8] (introduced 5/8/2007)      Cosponsors (118)
Related Bills: S.1328
Latest Major Action: 6/25/2007 Referred to House subcommittee. Status: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.

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COSPONSORS(118), ALPHABETICAL [followed by Cosponsors withdrawn]:     (Sort: by date)

Rep Abercrombie, Neil [HI-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Ackerman, Gary L. [NY-5] – 5/8/2007
Rep Allen, Thomas H. [ME-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Andrews, Robert E. [NJ-1] – 9/23/2008
Rep Baca, Joe [CA-43] – 9/17/2008	Rep Baird, Brian [WA-3] – 5/10/2007
Rep Baldwin, Tammy [WI-2] – 5/8/2007	Rep Becerra, Xavier [CA-31] – 5/8/2007
Rep Berkley, Shelley [NV-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Berman, Howard L. [CA-28] – 5/8/2007
Rep Bishop, Timothy H. [NY-1] – 5/8/2008	Rep Blumenauer, Earl [OR-3] – 2/7/2008
Rep Brown, Corrine [FL-3] – 9/17/2008	Rep Capps, Lois [CA-23] – 5/8/2007
Rep Capuano, Michael E. [MA-8] – 5/8/2007	Rep Castor, Kathy [FL-11] – 9/17/2008
Rep Clarke, Yvette D. [NY-11] – 5/8/2007	Rep Clay, Wm. Lacy [MO-1] – 5/8/2007
Rep Clyburn, James E. [SC-6] – 9/18/2008	Rep Conyers, John, Jr. [MI-14] – 5/8/2007
Rep Courtney, Joe [CT-2] – 9/15/2008	Rep Crowley, Joseph [NY-7] – 5/8/2007
Rep Cummings, Elijah E. [MD-7] – 5/8/2007	Rep Davis, Danny K. [IL-7] – 7/12/2007
Rep Davis, Susan A. [CA-53] – 5/8/2007	Rep DeFazio, Peter A. [OR-4] – 9/9/2008
Rep DeGette, Diana [CO-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Delahunt, William D. [MA-10] – 5/8/2007
Rep DeLauro, Rosa L. [CT-3] – 9/11/2008	Rep Doyle, Michael F. [PA-14] – 5/8/2007
Rep Ellison, Keith [MN-5] – 5/8/2007	Rep Emanuel, Rahm [IL-5] – 9/11/2008
Rep Engel, Eliot L. [NY-17] – 5/8/2007	Rep Eshoo, Anna G. [CA-14] – 5/8/2007
Rep Farr, Sam [CA-17] – 5/8/2007	Rep Fattah, Chaka [PA-2] – 5/8/2007
Rep Filner, Bob [CA-51] – 5/8/2007	Rep Frank, Barney [MA-4] – 5/8/2007
Rep Green, Al [TX-9] – 4/29/2008	Rep Grijalva, Raul M. [AZ-7] – 5/8/2007
Rep Gutierrez, Luis V. [IL-4] – 5/8/2007	Rep Hare, Phil [IL-17] – 9/11/2008
Rep Harman, Jane [CA-36] – 2/12	Rep Hastings, Alcee L. [FL-23] – 5/9/2007
Rep Hinchey, Maurice D. [NY-22] – 5/8/2007	Rep Hirono, Mazie K. [HI-2] – 5/8/2007
Rep Holt, Rush D. [NJ-12] – 5/9/2007	Rep Honda, Michael M. [CA-15] – 5/8/2007
Rep Inslee, Jay [WA-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Israel, Steve [NY-2] – 5/8/2008
Rep Jackson, Jesse L., Jr. [IL-2] – 5/8/2007	Rep Jackson-Lee, Sheila [TX-18] – 7/11/2007
Rep Johnson, Eddie Bernice [TX-30] – 9/17/2008	Rep Johnson, Henry C. “Hank,” Jr. [GA-4] – 7/26/2007
Rep Kennedy, Patrick J. [RI-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Kucinich, Dennis J. [OH-10] – 5/8/2007
Rep Langevin, James R. [RI-2] – 5/8/2007	Rep Lantos, Tom [CA-12] – 5/8/2007
Rep Larson, John B. [CT-1] – 5/17/2007	Rep Lee, Barbara [CA-9] – 5/8/2007
Rep Levin, Sander M. [MI-12] – 5/7/2008	Rep Lewis, John [GA-5] – 5/8/2007
Rep Lowey, Nita M. [NY-18] – 5/16/2007	Rep Maloney, Carolyn B. [NY-14] – 5/8/2007
Rep Markey, Edward J. [MA-7] – 5/8/2007	Rep Matsui, Doris O. [CA-5] – 5/8/2007
Rep McCarthy, Carolyn [NY-4] – 9/4/2007	Rep McCollum, Betty [MN-4] – 2/25/2008
Rep McDermott, Jim [WA-7] – 5/8/2007	Rep McGovern, James P. [MA-3] – 5/8/2007
Rep McNulty, Michael R. [NY-21] – 5/8/2007	Rep Meehan, Martin T. [MA-5] – 5/8/2007
Rep Meek, Kendrick B. [FL-17] – 9/26/2007	Rep Michaud, Michael H. [ME-2] – 7/31/2007
Rep Miller, Brad [NC-13] – 9/17/2008	Rep Miller, George [CA-7] – 5/8/2007
Rep Moore, Dennis [KS-3] – 9/15/2008	Rep Moore, Gwen [WI-4] – 9/23/2008
Rep Moran, James P. [VA-8] – 5/8/2007	Rep Napolitano, Grace F. [CA-38] – 5/8/2007
Rep Neal, Richard E. [MA-2] – 5/8/2007	Rep Norton, Eleanor Holmes [DC] – 5/8/2007
Rep Olver, John W. [MA-1] – 5/8/2007	Rep Pallone, Frank, Jr. [NJ-6] – 5/8/2007
Rep Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [NJ-8] – 5/7/2008	Rep Pastor, Ed [AZ-4] – 5/16/2007
Rep Payne, Donald M. [NJ-10] – 5/8/2007	Rep Richardson, Laura [CA-37] – 2/28/2008
Rep Rothman, Steven R. [NJ-9] – 5/8/2007	Rep Roybal-Allard, Lucille [CA-34] – 7/30/2008
Rep Rush, Bobby L. [IL-1] – 9/15/2008	Rep Sanchez, Linda T. [CA-39] – 5/8/2007
Rep Schakowsky, Janice D. [IL-9] – 5/8/2007	Rep Schiff, Adam B. [CA-29] – 5/8/2007
Rep Schwartz, Allyson Y. [PA-13] – 5/7/2008	Rep Scott, Robert C. “Bobby” [VA-3] – 9/11/2008
Rep Serrano, Jose E. [NY-16] – 5/8/2007	Rep Shays, Christopher [CT-4] – 5/8/2007
Rep Sherman, Brad [CA-27] – 9/4/2007	Rep Sires, Albio [NJ-13] – 5/16/2007
Rep Smith, Adam [WA-9] – 5/24/2007	Rep Solis, Hilda L. [CA-32] – 5/8/2007
Rep Speier, Jackie [CA-12] – 9/15/2008	Rep Stark, Fortney Pete [CA-13] – 5/8/2007
Rep Tauscher, Ellen O. [CA-10] – 5/21/2007	Rep Tierney, John F. [MA-6] – 5/8/2007
Rep Towns, Edolphus [NY-10] – 5/9/2007	Rep Tsongas, Niki [MA-5] – 4/10/2008
Rep Udall, Mark [CO-2] – 9/17/2008	Rep Velazquez, Nydia M. [NY-12] – 5/22/2008
Rep Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [FL-20] – 5/8/2007	Rep Watson, Diane E. [CA-33] – 7/24/2007
Rep Waxman, Henry A. [CA-30] – 5/8/2007	Rep Weiner, Anthony D. [NY-9] – 5/8/2007
Rep Welch, Peter [VT] – 6/18/2007	Rep Wexler, Robert [FL-19] – 5/8/2007
Rep Woolsey, Lynn C. [CA-6] – 5/8/2007	Rep Wu, David [OR-1] – 5/8/2007

CALIFORNIA PROP 8 Supreme Court will hear oral argument on 3/5

       On November 19, 2008, the California Supreme Court agreed to hear the legal challenges to Proposition 8 and set an expedited schedule. The California Supreme Court must issue its decisions within 90 days of oral argument, which is now set for March 05, 2009.

On January 15, 2009, 43 ‘friend-of-the-court’ briefs urging the Court to invalidate Prop 8 were filed, arguing that Proposition 8 drastically alters the equal protection guarantee in California’s Constitution and that the rights of a minority cannot be eliminated by a simple majority vote.

The numerous supporters represent a broad spectrum of California’s and national civil rights organizations.   Included are legal scholars, as well as California legislators, local governments, bar associations, business interests, labor unions, and religious groups. 

“In May of 2008, the California Supreme Court held that laws that treat people differently based on their sexual orientation violate the equal protection clause of the California Constitution and that same-sex couples have the same fundamental right to marry as other Californians. Proposition 8 eliminated this fundamental right only for same-sex couples. No other initiative has ever successfully changed the California Constitution to take away a right only from a targeted minority group. Proposition 8 passed by a bare majority of 52 percent on November 4.” (quote;  Equality California)

The ACLU,  NCLR, Lambda Legal, filed this challenge on November 5, representing Equality California, whose members include many same-sex couples who married between June 16 and November 4, 2008, including yours truly;  and six same-sex couples who want to marry in California. The California Supreme Court has also agreed to hear two other challenges filed on the same day: one filed by the City and County of San Francisco (joined by Santa Clara County and the City of Los Angeles, and subsequently by Los Angeles County and other local governments); and another filed by a private attorney.

The case is Strauss et al. v. Horton et al. (#S168047).  

 Legal Challenge: Prop 8; California Supreme Court  
Oral Arguments  to be heard on March 05, 2009. Good!!!  

If I were President Barack Obama; today I would give this speech

  “’Friends, Romans & Countrymen,’ if I may be so bold….. “Lend me your EARS..!

President Barack Obama 2009

If I were President Obama:   

 

Yes, I need your attention – We have 1,200,000 gay and lesbian Americans living as families in our country.  (And on a cold day who knows how many more?) Actually for those of you who think otherwise, they are just like the rest of us Americans, with one slight difference and that is – they prefer to form relationships and families with members of the same sex.  Looking at these people I urge you not to view them as a sexual act, because trust me they do not view you as a sexual act.  They give you your due- they respect and honor your families, so much so that they are willing to teach your kids, even the bratty ones, they are your medical professionals, they are principals in your schools, the pay taxes, and maybe some, just like you, do not pay taxes! Of course I can go on.

Now most of us here in America agree, including myself, that we are unable to consider these people a viable prospect for marriage, even though that right is inherent in the constitution as our Founding Fathers wrote it.   You will recall we changed all that, just to play it safe, when we figured these people should not marry.  We made it impossible for anyone to marry with recognition of the Federal Law because (thank you, thank you President Clinton) we voted DOMA into law.  In fact we fobbed it all off onto the States, knowing that they would not have any federal rights anyway; and we know what happened to that.  It’s a big mess out there.  Some marriages are valid some places, sometimes and maybe not ever, at all!  Even I am confused.   So that said we are profoundly safe from “Gay” marriage at this point.

Furthermore, we go along with the idea of merging civil rights with organized religious adversity.  No separation of Church and State in this particular instance necessary.

But remember now you all voted for me and I had already during the debates squeezed myself, and now all of you as well, into a corner, where by voting for me you basically agree that these people should get “special rights.”   Once many of you argued against special rights for these people, but you must understand that because they are not getting their civil rights we are left with no alternative but to endorse the special rights in this instance.  Hopefully we will never have to section out a minority class again.  But remember I did say the CU word!!! And you still voted for me.  CIVIL  UNIONS!

I am urging you all to support me in my overt quest to grant these fellow Americans their special rights, kind of equal to all of us, except we will call it something else.  Let us recognize their de facto relationships (because they gonna be there whether we like it or not); let us give them a de jure existence, albeit a de minimus opportunity to actually be just like us.

Let us call it Civil Unions; we can enact a federal law so it is standard across the country. Or States that enact CU’s will be given Federal Rights similar according to a unifying Federal Enactment.  Now because I invited that gay hating guy ( er, excuse me Val, what is his name again?  Oh yes, Pastor Rick Warren, mmm thanks Val) to give the invocation at my inauguration, I have banked this as a fair balance. I have now made everyone happy.  I love the gays and I love the gay haters.  We can all work together; YES WE CAN, I said YES WE CAN! Now repeat after me “YES WE CAN.” Thanks and G-d Bless America. 

Pre-divorce mediation

http://www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/about

The long term impact of divorce on a family, especially children, has much to do with the level of cooperation between the X-2-B’s.  The likelihood and extent of cooperation will depend upon the choices at the outset of the divorce journey. This is a daunting task given the anger, the blame, the shock and the sadness any or all of which dominate the milieu. Yet despite these emotions many uncoupling partners have utilized pre-divorce mediation as their first and most often successful option…..  READ FULL ARTICLE -  http://www.oblogdeeoblogda.wordpress.com/about

A Virgin’s pov…

Today was the first superbowl game I have EVER watched;  I had no idea who made it to the finals or who was who.  All I knew was that the red team went in one direction and the yellow team in the other.  I looked at the score and noted 20 to 14 – thats when I started watching.   Not that much time left,  noticing the clock I thought,  thats it guys ; red guys – go home- its over!  Over! You are done!  But lo and behold they scored and the score jumped up… so many points and I am not quite sure what he did to get them, but they were all very excited.  I let out a yell …”whooohoooo”   ..me yelling…. (huh?) at the TV ;  ”Ah thats how it works!”    Now I am getting it.   The Reds were sooo happy. The Yellows looked worried. Well that was a comeback, I was wrong,  Ithought. Jolly goood the Red s won. It must be over two minutes is a short time.  But for some reason they kept going on and then stopping forever and then going on.  As fate would have it. I was wrong, again?  The yellows made some points – not sure how, but when they yelled, I yelled too. It was so much fun. I think I will do it again next year.

Proposition 8 California

I find it compelling that the Mormon Church tried so desperately to circumvent the truth about their part in the funding of proposition 8; the facts now for all to see – millions, did I say millions?  in mormon money to back the infamous hate prop.   It is clear that without these exorbitant contributions “8″ may well have failed.  So here in California, where we thrive on the pulse of diversity, where we honor progress, where we breathe today what America will only sniff tomorrow, we  have fallen sucker to a group who would seek our back peddle!   or did i say demise – gay demise…. how can we not thrive familialy as others do. Is it not DEATH! 

One can only suspect that hiding support denotes shame!

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/29/BAJC15JOOR.DTL&type=politics,