Clipmarks | Equality Clips

What does it mean to be an American? This 10-year-old boy gets it

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:35:41 GMT

clipped by: Lexica
clipper's remarks: More:

After asking his parents whether it was against the law not to stand for the pledge, Will decided to do something. On Monday, Oct. 5, when the other kids in his class stood up to recite the pledge of allegiance, he remained sitting down…Each day, the substitute got a little more cross with him. On Thursday, it finally came to a head… Will was sent to the [principal's] office…

At the end of our interview, I ask young Will a question that might be a civics test nightmare for your average 10-year-old. Will's answer, though, is good enough — simple enough, true enough — to give me a little rush of goose pimples. What does being an American mean?

“Freedom of speech,” Will says, without even stopping to think. “The freedom to disagree. That's what I think pretty much being an American represents.”

Somewhere, Thomas Jefferson smiles.

Clip Source: www.arktimes.com

Will Phillips isn't like other boys his age.

For one thing, he's smart.

When his family goes for a drive, discussions are much more apt to be about Teddy Roosevelt and terraforming Mars than they are about Spongebob Squarepants and what's playing on Radio Disney.

It was during one of those drives that the discussion turned to the pledge of allegiance and what it means.

Will's family has a number of gay friends. In recent years, Laura Phillips said, they've been trying to be a straight ally to the gay community, going to the pride parades and standing up for the rights of their gay and lesbian neighbors. They've been especially dismayed by the effort to take away the rights of homosexuals – the right to marry, and the right to adopt. Given that, Will immediately saw a problem with the pledge of allegiance.

“I've always tried to analyze things because I want to be lawyer,” Will said. “I really don't feel that there's currently liberty and justice for all.”

Tags: america, american, culture, society, equality, pledge-of-allegiance

Homosexual blog forecasts violence against Christians

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 00:53:43 GMT

clipped by: jay8h

Clip Source: www.onenewsnow.com

Homosexual blog forecasts violence against Christians

The FBI is investigating terrorism threats posted on a homosexual blog that appear to be aimed at Christians.

In this online conversation, Fritz goes on to say, "This happens in all cases where people are oppressed and lack representation. Our President must wake up and prevent this from happening. Otherwise we will end up like Israel and Palestine. We will have gay and lesbian people strapping bombs to their chests and blowing up churches. All it will take is one or two more losses like this. If marriage equality is taken away in one of the landmark states, we will see domestic terrorism arise very quickly....In 1991, I witnessed gay and lesbian activists setting fire to buildings and beating people with baseball bats in Los Angeles."

Women Suggesting Kinky Stuff

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:24:51 GMT

clipped by: miguelbrown
clipper's remarks: Some women are reluctant to suggest new things in bed because they think it is supposed to be a man’s job. Many women think that asking men for naughty stuff in bed makes their men to regard them as sluts or skanks.

Clip Source: gaysextoys2.pbworks.com

Women Suggesting Kinky Stuff

Some women are reluctant to suggest new things in bed because they think it is supposed to be a man’s job. Many women think that asking men for naughty stuff in bed makes their men to regard them as sluts or skanks.

Truth is that there is no absolute equality between men and women. Men can hook up with lots of girls and get away with it. Women cannot hook up with three men at the same time without being condemned by the public. Men can improve sex life by dirty talking.

Lots of women want to try novel things, try out male sex dolls or use bondage toys. To men who are reading this, learn that the usual thing you do in the name of intimacy could be boring her to death. If you want to enliven your romance, make an effort to try new things. Also listen to her if she want to try new things and do not make hasty judgments.

Tags: kinky stuff, erotic women

European Court bans classroom crucifixes

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:17:37 GMT

clipped by: Antara
clipper's remarks: "Those societies which cannot combine reverence to their symbols with freedom and revision, must ultimately decay either from anarchy, or from the slow atrophy of a life stifled by useless shadows"
- A.N. Whitehead

Clip Source: www.corriere.it

The woman who took the case to the Strasbourg court is Soile Lautsi Albertin, an Italian citizen of Finnish origin. In 2002, she asked the Vittorino da Feltre primary and middle school at Abano Terme in the province of Padua, attended by her two children, to remove the crucifixes from classrooms in accordance with the principle of the secular state.

The case went back to the TAR, which in 2005 itself rejected the appeal, maintaining that the crucifix is a symbol of Italian history and culture, and so of the country’s identity and of the principles of equality, liberty, tolerance and secularism of the state, a position confirmed by Italy’s Council of State in 2006. But now, the tables have been turned.

the Italian government must pay her 5,000 euros in moral damages. It is the Strasbourg court’s first ruling on religious symbols in school classrooms. “Now Italy will have to take account of the sentence by the European court of human rights”, commented Ms Lautsi

Tags: eu, freedom, religion, italy, islam, muslim brotherhood

Equality under the law is abrogated by shari'a councils

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 01:59:32 GMT

clipped by: Antara
clipper's remarks: Bit long, but an important and informative read.

Clip Source: archbishop-cranmer.blogspot.com

Islamic shari’a is propagated by UK law.

We have cause to be worried.

Apologists for shari’a claim nothing has changed. A shari’a tribunal decision cannot be enforced if it breaks UK law. This view is out of touch with how things really work and what is going on today.

We have, for example, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s revelation in a BBC interview that the adoption of Islamic shari’a law in the UK is ‘unavoidable’. This gives a disturbing insight into the minds of some of our leaders.

Twisting the law to meet cultural requirements is not unknown. Lord Pearson asked this question in the House of Lords in June: “…. will Her Majesty’s Government take steps to ensure that resident Muslim men will no longer be allowed to commit bigamy by bringing in their second, third and fourth wives and all their children to enjoy the benefits of our welfare state?”

He was not given an answer.

Tags: shariah law, islam, uk, creeping, global jihad

See burger king is for equality

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:44:50 GMT

clipped by: mgrady11

Clip Source: www.hrstudioplus.com

PETITION OF THE CITIZENS OF EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES AGAINST LISBON TREATY RATIFICATION

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:57:58 GMT

clipped by: brightlight4
clipper's remarks: For those Europeans who wish to have more information about the Lisbon Treaty and recognition of European Human Rights, etc.

Clip Source: www.petice.eu

PETITION OF THE CITIZENS OF EUROPEAN UNION COUNTRIES
AGAINST LISBON TREATY RATIFICATION

We, the citizens of the sovereign countries of the European Union, aware of our civil rights and in an effort to prevent steps leading to a bureaucratic lack of freedom across Europe, hereby express our disapproval of the Lisbon Treaty ratification.

The Lisbon Treaty is basically the European Constitution, which has already been rejected once. It gives the EU new powers to the detriment of the member countries (the right to veto measures is cancelled 68 times). It takes away our independent foreign, economic, social and energy policies and much more. Countries will lose control over indirect tax rates.

On the basis of the above, we refuse ratification of the Lisbon Treaty and ask the governments of the various countries, in the interests of maintaining the liberty of the nations and their future generations, to initiate negotiations on a new direction for the European Union,

to be built on equality

The Work Left To Do

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:57:37 GMT

clipped by: debbyski

Clip Source: www.365gay.com

Many people still find homosexuality weird, disgusting, or abhorrent, and they don’t want it around their children.

Such a result is very scary for some parents.

Whether we like it or not, most parents deep down would really rather their children not turn out to be gay and certainly don’t want to be talking about sex, period, let alone gay sex with their kids

the closet is still powerful.

I don’t care how popular Ellen is: a majority of her fellow Californians voted to deny her the right to marry.

the case for marriage equality can’t be divorced from the case for moral equality—that is, the case for our relationships’ being positive and valuable (and holy, for those of a religious bent)

In short, our opponents’ agenda is a truly radical one, which aims not merely to deny us marriage but to obliterate our very existence. We need to call them out on it.

America a Rude Nation? Debating Public Decency

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 21:30:23 GMT

clipped by: disenchantedcitizen
clipper's remarks: Experts point to a variety of reasons for the apparent fall in civil standards:
1) The recession has placed many under heavy stress
2) The rise of the internet has fostered confrontational and provocative communications in which people get used to saying things they may never once have dared to utter face-to-face.

These may be conditions that allow rudeness to rear its ugly head, but they are not excuses for it.

Rudeness is rooted in lack of civility. If you don’t respect other people’s ideas, opinions, equality as compared to yourself, or simply their right to exist, it will be easy for you to resort to rudeness towards that person and you will be considered uncivil.

We have been losing our civility for a long time now and I believe it is due to a lack of respect for others and ourselves.

Clip Source: thejakartaglobe.com

Americans have often had a reputation in much of the world as brash and rude. Now a torrent of expletives, vitriol and name-calling has left many in the United States convinced that the old stereotype may be correct.

From Congressman’s Joe Wilson’s notorious interruption of a speech by US President Barack Obama with a shout of “You Lie,” to tennis superstar Serena Williams’ foul-mouthed threats to a line judge at the US Open, the lack of common civility has many gentler Americans worried about the state of their society.

Their concerns only grew when rapper Kanye West jumped on stage at the MTV Video Music Awards show to protest an award to 19-year-old Taylor Swift.

Before the latest outbursts, a Gallup survey last month found that increasing numbers of Americans are convinced that the level of political civility is deteriorating.

“American society is among the most informal in the world, and often that informality crosses over into incivility.”

Christian activity in the public square

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:42:11 GMT

clipped by: chetler

Clip Source: www.tothesource.org

Baker: I think Christians should kindly refuse the invitation to take their religious activity and speech private. They should maintain the validity of the faith for their approach to community life and politics. They should point out that secularism provides little guidance for dealing with big political questions and that the values have to come from somewhere. Too often, secularists selectively crib Christian values without acknowledging the source. We didn't just get here by accident. We don't appreciate things like liberty, equality, and democracy by sheer accident. Christianity has been a major civilizational force.

Tags: politics

Why Do Some Straights Fear Gays?

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 05:15:30 GMT

clipped by: debbyski
clipper's remarks: Of course, this article is written in 2007, but I feel it addresses the fear I still see perpetuated about the recent Hate
Crimes legislation that was signed by our President.

We still have a long way to go as a society and I want to thank every person on CM who speaks out against hate.

Clip Source: www.latimes.com

Gays are hated. Prove me wrong.

Gay people have paid all the taxes you have. But you have equality, and we don't.

Who cares if a faggot dies? Parts of the Episcopal Church in the U.S. are joining with the Nigerian archbishop, who believes gays should be put in prison. Episcopalians! Whoever thought we'd have to worry about Episcopalians?

Gays do not realize that the more we become visible, the more we come out of the closet, the more we are hated. Don't those of you straights who claim not to hate us have a responsibility to denounce the hate?

Why is it socially acceptable to joke about "girlie men" or to discriminate against us legally with "constitutional" amendments banning gay marriage?

Why do you hate us so much that you will not permit us to legally love? I am almost 72, and I have been hated all my life, and I don't see much change coming.

I think your hate is evil.

What do we do to you that is so awful?

Rutgers United Against Hate

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 23:00:12 GMT

clipped by: Lexica
clipper's remarks: Once again, WBC tried to spread their message of hate and were drowned out by a message of love. Hugs all around!

Clip Source: admissions.rutgers.edu

I'm sure a lot of you have heard of the Westboro Baptist Church from Topeka, Kansas (est. 1955). They are a xenophobic and homophobic group that uses the Bible to decree that God hates our troops, homosexuals, Jews, and pretty much everyone else not affiliated with the WBC. They're also known for protesting at funerals of fallen American soldiers and gays - even going so far as to bring signs that read, "Thank God for 9/11" (and just for today, in honor of Rabbi Esther, "Your Rabbi Is A Whore")

As a Christian, I'm disgusted by these people.

two weeks ago, the WBC contacted the RUPD requesting protection during a protest in front of Rutgers Hillel, the center of Jewish life here on campus

About six protestors from the WBC stood on the corner of College Avenue and Mine Street with their signs of hatred

I don't think they were expecting 1,200 PEOPLE (students, people from CNN, and other kind souls; according to the RUPD) to be standing against them.

Tags: prejudice, bias, hatred, westboro-baptist-church, activism, equality, acceptance

"Hate Crimes" bill passes Senate

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 03:04:57 GMT

clipped by: kris_tea
clipper's remarks: What a disappointment. I am very disappointed in my Senators.

Clip Source: www3.capwiz.com

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010

This bill includes the "hate crimes" amendment

Agreed to: 68-29

By 68 yeas to 29 nays (Vote No. 327), Senate agreed to the conference report to accompany H.R. 2647, to authorize appropriations for fiscal year 2010 for military activities of the Department of Defense. In a devious maneuver by Democrats, a "Hate Crimes" amendment was attached to this bill. Though AFA supports adequate funding for the military, this attachment is a poison pill that makes the bill unacceptable. Our military deserved a stand-alone vote on funding.

A vote in favor of this bill criminalizes thought, endangers freedom of religion and speech, and destroys the American principle of equality under the law.

Economic madness - growth forever

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:34:05 GMT

clipped by: gppixelworks

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

If the only navigation system you have keeps directing you over a cliff, it's time to reprogram it

Western governments, including the UK's, are desperate to restore the global economy along "business as usual" lines

that is a short-sighted approach; a radical, green-tinged redevelopment would bring much bigger environmental, social and economic benefits

If someone offered you a plan that would get rich countries on to a radical path of deep, immediate carbon cuts to tackle climate change and also solved a great swathe of social problems, would you take it?

Danish standards of equality are less of a burden to society

The assumption of "growth forever" sits behind every major industrialised economy. Yet, as the great economist Kenneth Boulding put it: "Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist."

by including in economic calculations the social and environmental costs of business-as-usual can we properly assess the alternatives

Tags: economics model, banking crisis, climate change, environmental, social reform, growth

Exposing the Colour of Prejudice

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 04:14:03 GMT

clipped by: sahara
clipper's remarks: John Howard Griffin was a remarkable man. As a Texan teenager who found himself in France at the outbreak of World War II, he helped to smuggle Jewish children to safety and freedom.

He then served with distinction in the US Air Force in the Pacific. And then, after the war - when illness struck him blind for 10 years while he was still relatively young - he became a prolific writer.

It was after his sight returned that he hit upon the idea of Black Like Me, the work which is his most important legacy.

The whole business of racial impersonation might make us feel vaguely uncomfortable now, but in 1959 a black writer simply could not have found an audience for such a graphic portrayal of African-American grievance.
Griffin's grim adventures as a black man in a white man's world are worth reading. They remain a set text for many American high school children.

Clip Source: news.bbc.co.uk

How much does the colour of our skin make us who we are, and shape the way the world sees us?

The answer to that question may seem obvious now after decades of slow and uneven progress towards racial equality and enlightenment.

Griffin exposed the discrimination prevalent in the Deep South

It would have seemed very different 50 years ago to the white Texan writer John Howard Griffin, when he embarked on one of the most remarkable one-man social and psychological experiments in history.

Griffin was the white man who fooled hundreds of Americans into believing he was a black man as he travelled through Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia - and who felt at first hand the bigotry that meant.

When he toured the South lecturing to white audiences about his experiences as a black man, he was threatened, intimidated and, on at least one occasion, seriously beaten.

In the American Deep South in 1959, to be black was to be despised - to be treated as something less than human.