SLUniverse Forums http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/ Topics pertaining to politics, religion, philosophy, and social issues. Not for the faint of heart. Also, do not post while drunk, suffering from food poisoning, or while on a low carb diet. You have been warned. en Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:59:53 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/images/styles/bingo/misc/rss.jpg SLUniverse Forums http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/ 9th Circuit: DOMA Unconstitutional? http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37086-9th-circuit-doma-unconstitutional.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:33:58 GMT Judge orders compensation for gay couple who were denied healthcare, other benefits -- latimes.com... Judge orders compensation for gay couple who were denied healthcare, other benefits -- latimes.com

Yesterday, the 9th circuit ruled that a same-sex spouse of a federal employee be reimbursed the cost of benefits in the absence of coverage, based on DOMA.

The article states:
Quote:
Reinhardt’s ruling should resolve what he deemed an injustice in Levenson's case. But it also recognizes the status quo of federal government rejection of gay and lesbian marriages.
But at the same time, in the actual decision http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/datastor...8/0980172o.pdf
Page 16 (bold added),
Quote:
In sum, to the extent that the application of DOMA serves to preclude the provision of health insurance coverage to a same-sex spouse of a legally married federal employee because of the employee's and his or her spouse's sex or sexual orientation, DOMA, as applied, contravenes the Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution and is therefore unconstitutional.
I'm not a lawyer (Thank Goodness! My head would explode!) but does this mean what I think it means? The 9th circuit is taking a States Rights stance, and saying that a legally married couple cannot be denied federal benefits? The denial of benefits portion of DOMA is unconstitutional? It looks pretty strongly worded. ]]> Jerboa Haystack http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37086-9th-circuit-doma-unconstitutional.html Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck in 2012 http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37084-sarah-palin-glenn-beck-2012-a.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:11:38 GMT Is this the political ticket that will save America?

Quote:
In an interview with Newsmax, Sarah Palin floated Fox News host Glenn Beck's name as her running mate for 2012. Palin said, "But Glenn Beck I have great respect for. He's a hoot. He gets his message across in such a clever way."
It would be endlessly entertaining, keep the wacko elements busy and out of our hair during the election, and force the (remaining) Republicans and Democrats to fight it out for the center. A win, win, win situation I am thinking.


Tess ]]> Tess Whitcroft http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37084-sarah-palin-glenn-beck-2012-a.html Violence http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37081-violence.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:26:40 GMT I am curious about something. I attended class today and shared my viewpoint on violent protest vs peaceful protest and found I was the only one in... I am curious about something. I attended class today and shared my viewpoint on violent protest vs peaceful protest and found I was the only one in the room to share my same opinion. So I was curious what some of you thought.

It is my opinion that violent protest is a faster catalyst to change than peaceful protest. Leaving morals aside, I am not saying violence is right, I am saying that when there is atrocities, violence, and death people tend to converge quicker on solving the problem.

What do you think? ]]> Affinity http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37081-violence.html British RIAA Militias??? http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37080-british-riaa-militias.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 16:19:02 GMT BREAKING: Leaked UK government plan to create "Pirate Finder General" with power to appoint militias, create laws - Boing Boing

Quote:
Secretary of State Peter Mandelson is planning to introduce changes to the Digital Economy Bill now under debate in Parliament. These changes will give the Secretary of State (Mandelson -- or his successor in the next government) the power to make "secondary legislation" (legislation that is passed without debate) to amend the provisions of Copyright, Designs and Patents Act (1988).
Quote:
What that means is that an unelected official would have the power to do anything without Parliamentary oversight or debate, provided it was done in the name of protecting copyright. Mandelson elaborates on this, giving three reasons for his proposal:

1. The Secretary of State would get the power to create new remedies for online infringements (for example, he could create jail terms for file-sharing, or create a "three-strikes" plan that costs entire families their internet access if any member stands accused of infringement)

2. The Secretary of State would get the power to create procedures to "confer rights" for the purposes of protecting rightsholders from online infringement. (for example, record labels and movie studios can be given investigative and enforcement powers that allow them to compel ISPs, libraries, companies and schools to turn over personal information about Internet users, and to order those companies to disconnect users, remove websites, block URLs, etc)

3. The Secretary of State would get the power to "impose such duties, powers or functions on any person as may be specified in connection with facilitating online infringement" (for example, ISPs could be forced to spy on their users, or to have copyright lawyers examine every piece of user-generated content before it goes live; also, copyright "militias" can be formed with the power to police copyright on the web)

This is not really true is it???

:wtf:

Tess ]]> Tess Whitcroft http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37080-british-riaa-militias.html <![CDATA[Well at least in Texas College is "affordable"]]> http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37037-well-least-texas-college-affordable.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:09:46 GMT California university students protest tuition hikes - CNN.com (http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/11/18/california.tuition.protest/index.html) I am... California university students protest tuition hikes - CNN.com


I am starting to think some of these Colleges are being run by the assholes who needed the bailouts. ]]> Dancien Graves http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37037-well-least-texas-college-affordable.html Texas Bans All Marriage http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37027-texas-bans-all-marriage.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:53:05 GMT Texas AG Candidate Argues Anti-Gay Marriage Law Bans All Marriages - FOXNews.com... Texas AG Candidate Argues Anti-Gay Marriage Law Bans All Marriages - FOXNews.com

The Democratic candidate for Texas attorney general is claiming a clause put into a 2005 state constitutional amendment meant to ban gay marriages effectively eliminates marriage in the state, the Star-Telegram reported.

Quote:
The first part of the amendment says "marriage in this state shall consist only of the union of one man and one woman," but it's Subsection B that Barbara Ann Radnofsky says poses a problem.

"The state or a political subdivision of this state may not create or recognize any legal status identical or similar to marriage," reads the section.

The retired lawyer says it's that 22-word clause that "eliminates marriage in Texas," including common-law marriages, the newspaper reported.

"You do not have to have a fancy law degree to read this and understand what it plainly says," Radnofsky said
.


Tess ]]> Tess Whitcroft http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37027-texas-bans-all-marriage.html Tables Turned on Anti-Gay Activists http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37020-tables-turned-anti-gay-activists.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 02:18:57 GMT I love this story. In DC the other day a group of Chistian ministers held an inflammatory protest over the new anti-gay hate crime law. They were... I love this story. In DC the other day a group of Chistian ministers held an inflammatory protest over the new anti-gay hate crime law. They were hoping to get arrested so they could challenge the law but they got something else instead...

Quote:
The evangelical activists had been hoping to provoke arrest, because, as organizer Gary Cass of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission put it, "we'd have standing to challenge the law." But their prayers were not answered. Nobody was arrested, which wasn't surprising: To run afoul of the new law, you need to "plan or prepare for an act of physical violence" or "incite an imminent act of physical violence."

Instead of getting arrested, the ministers got something else: A couple of dozen gay activists, surrounding them with rainbow flags and signs announcing "Gaga for Gay Rights" and "I Am a Love Warrior." By the end, the gay rights activists had taken over the lectern and the sound system and were holding their own news conference denouncing the ministers.

"We're here to say, my love is legit!" announced David Valk, an organizer of the National Equality March for gay rights.

Another speaker, Ian Thomas, went to the microphone and announced: "I was created a bisexual male. Just like many figures in the Christian Bible, I like boys and girls!"

Cass turned angrily to the AV guy. "We're not on the clock, are we?" He turned with equal anger to Valk. "You guys gonna help us pay for the microphones?"

The gay activist smiled. "God," he said, "works in mysterious ways."

In this case, God took the form of Chuck Fazio, from DC Podiums. Fazio was hired by the religious conservatives to provide the sound system for the event, but upon learning of their cause, he decided to donate his proceeds to the gay rights activists and to give them a chance at the microphone before shutting down the amplifiers. "I don't want bad karma," he explained, noting with some pride that the lectern they were using was the same one used by Borat on a recent Washington visit.
Full story: Dana Milbank - Washington Sketch: No arrests for conservative Christians' anti-gay talk - washingtonpost.com ]]> Chip Midnight http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37020-tables-turned-anti-gay-activists.html Fox News At It Again http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37018-fox-news-again.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 01:35:51 GMT You would think after getting called out by Jon Stewart for using the wrong footage on a Tea Party protest that Fox News would wait a bit before... You would think after getting called out by Jon Stewart for using the wrong footage on a Tea Party protest that Fox News would wait a bit before trying to pass off footage as new again, but alas, 'tis not so. While discussing Sarah Palin's book, they showed footage described as "pictures coming in" as crowds lining up to buy the book at a book signing. The footage was actually from the 2008 presidential campaign.

Fox News Runs Old Palin Campaign Footage, Reports It As Book-Signing Crowds ]]> Cristiano http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37018-fox-news-again.html Cop Tasers obviously dangerous 10 year old girl http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37010-cop-tasers-obviously-dangerous-10-a.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:45:47 GMT Arkansas cop uses Taser on 10-year-old girl | Raw Story (http://rawstory.com/2009/11/arkansas-cop-taser-10yearold-girl/) Aimee musta missed this... Arkansas cop uses Taser on 10-year-old girl | Raw Story

Aimee musta missed this one.

I heard this on the Radio this morning.

Mom calls police because daughter 10 wont take a shower, girl then kicks cop in the groin and so he tasers her with the mother's permission ..

No News at 11 because people are numb to Police taser abuse stories since there are so many of them .. ]]> Colette Meiji http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/37010-cop-tasers-obviously-dangerous-10-a.html Xenophon vs Xenu http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36989-xenophon-vs-xenu.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 15:45:06 GMT BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Australia mulls Scientology probe

Scientology isn't getting any slack lately. I can only assume that the Internet makes it harder for these sorts of organizations to hide things from the public eye. ]]> Gigs http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36989-xenophon-vs-xenu.html WTF Pray for Obama: Psalms 109:8? http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36987-pray-obama-psalms-109-8-a.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:32:18 GMT This just came to my attention. Apparently there are bumper stickers, tshirts, and people tweeting this slogan. (Pray for Obama: Psalms 109:8). ... This just came to my attention. Apparently there are bumper stickers, tshirts, and people tweeting this slogan. (Pray for Obama: Psalms 109:8).

Taken out of context it might be a humorous little jab, as it says: "Let his days be few; and let another take his office."

Ok..great. Maybe you mean you don't want him re-elected? Nudge-nudge-snicker. There were Bush countdown clocks all over the place.

But the next verse.....

Psalms 109:9: "Let his children be fatherless, and his wife a widow."

THAT has only one meaning, and fully in context talks specifically about an unjust ruler.

And THAT places the first verse in only one light...praying for the death of the president.

I'm sickened about the entire thing. And I hope I never actually see anyone actually wearing one of these shirts. They might just get a very large piece of my mind.

*sigh* maybe I need more coffee. ]]> Jerboa Haystack http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36987-pray-obama-psalms-109-8-a.html *IMPORTANT* International Transgender Day of Remembrance Fri Nov 20th http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36984-international-transgender-day-remembrance-fri.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 13:14:04 GMT This Friday Nov 20th in Second Life - at the Transgender Suicide & Hate Crime Memorial (7:00 AM - Noon & 7:00 PM - SLT) there will be memorial observances for the victims on the Eleventh Annual International Transgender Day of Remembrance.

There, but for the Grace of whatever God may exist, go I...

A moment's silence for our lost sisters & brothers is all I ask. Recognition that we deserve as much respect & regard as any other will only happen when WE make it happen.

If one of my more tech proficient friends would post the SLURL to the Memorial, I'd appreciate that very much.

The site below gives information on Real World observances:

TDoR Events and Locations 2009 at Transgender Day of Remembrance ]]> Roxanne Blue http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36984-international-transgender-day-remembrance-fri.html WTF Teacher tries to take hit out on student http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36967-teacher-tries-take-hit-out.html Wed, 18 Nov 2009 00:40:10 GMT Georgia high school teacher accused of pursuing 'hit' on student - CNN.com ]]> Allana Dion http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36967-teacher-tries-take-hit-out.html THE INTERNET DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36945-internet-does-not-work-way.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 16:53:29 GMT BBC NEWS | Technology | US 'should go on cyber-offensive'

Quote:
A US Air Force officer has told the BBC that his country should create an offensive botnet to target any forces that launch a cyber-attack against it. "I recommend that we make our botnet - the botnet I propose - public. The whole world knows about it. That we exercise it on ranges that other countries can see electronically, that they know what we're doing and then they are going to be more likely to back off before doing an attack because they have to take this into account," ...he argues that if a computer owner has failed to use anti-virus software and install the latest security patches, that machine may be a legitimate military target.
]]> Gigs http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36945-internet-does-not-work-way.html Masturbation 101 (I would so get an A in that class!) http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36938-masturbation-101-i-would-so.html Tue, 17 Nov 2009 14:08:40 GMT Spain: Teen Masturbation Sex Ed Workshops Spark Outrage - TIME (http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1939703,00.html) ---Quote--- In... Spain: Teen Masturbation Sex Ed Workshops Spark Outrage - TIME

Quote:
In the Netherlands, for instance, teachers at public schools lead discussions in which they ask girls ages 12 to 15 what they would do if their boyfriends refused to wear a condom. In Finland, basic sex education begins in kindergarten, and the curriculum for ninth-graders includes lessons on abortion and masturbation. In Germany, where sex education is mandatory, public school teachers have been known to discuss oral sex and different sexual positions. And in Britain, the National Health Service responded to the country's burgeoning rates of teen pregnancy this past summer by launching an awareness campaign called "One Orgasm a Day" that sought to steer young people away from intercourse and toward masturbation. (Admittedly, that one got a lot of attention.)
And what do we do in the U.S.? We tell the kiddies to just say no. :facepalm: ]]> Allana Dion http://www.sluniverse.com/php/vb/politics-religion-society/36938-masturbation-101-i-would-so.html