Economic Downturn

NPR did an amazing story about a Kansas City area family that could be devistated if the local Ford plant closes. If you haven't heard it, it's really worth a listen.

Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act

Congress has passed, and President Obama plans to sign, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. That the Supreme Court ruled the way it did is unnerving. That Republians worked so hard to oppose it is shameful. But the fact that it passed so quickly is promising.

Scandal Maker

More noise related to fallen Evangelical leader Ted Haggard. Apparently there is at least one more young man with whom the completely heterosexual Haggard had sex, this one an employee of the church. The incident caused me to go back and watch the old Daily Show clips of the incident. The classic clip in which the story broke is hillarious if a little odd. But I also found this clip from when Pat Robertson called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. The two clips contrast in an interesting way. In the first clip, Haggard defends Robertson, excusing his comments as unrelated to his ministry. In the second clip, Robertson dismisses Haggard as a non-entity, throwing him under the bus to use the popular parlance. It makes Robertson look like a tool, and he is.

Cattle Rustlin'

The downturn in the economy led to all kinds of comparisons to the Great Depression. But here in Missouri, it's causing an unfortunate return to a different era: that of cowboys and cattle rustlers. I'm not trying to make light of the situation, but it is pretty odd the ways in which this economic disaster has turned things in our country upside down.

The Times of Harvey Milk

The Oscar-winning documentary The Times of Harvey Milk is currently showing on Hulu. I would strongly recommend it, especially for those who liked Gus Van Sant's fictionalized portrayal. The documentary focuses less on Milk's private life, and more on his political activism. It also deals more with both Mayor Moscone and with the trial of Dan White.

It's very well made, and if you have the time, you should watch the movie.

Inauguration Outrage

There's been a good deal of blow back from the LGBT community over hater Rick Warren being asked to lead the invocation at his inauguration. Warren actively campaigned for Prop 8 in California and has said some nasty things about gay people; he's also strongly anti-choice.

Since President Obama's election (for which I put in a fair amount of time and legwork) I've been generally disinclined towards all the "tell Obama he must do x." People are demanding a great deal of the President-elect, especially in light of the compounding disaster that has been the previous administration. So I've been wary of signing anything to put pressure on Obama. I want to let him have at least 100 days to do what he wants to do, and I want to live up to my commitment not just to get him elected, but to push through his agenda. I trust him, which is why I worked so hard for him.

That said, this incident gives me pause. I like that Obama is trying to bridge gaps and work with people, but what if Warren asks him to delay repeal of DOMA, or not to rescind the global gag rule? Where does outreach end and capitulation begin. Via Bush and (until 2006) Warren and his ilk had control of the government and used it; they never gave an inch. And while the Republicans' despicable tactics are beneath Obama (and are probably what got him elected, in part), he should by no means give away the farm after he won such a deceive victory.

Ultimately the invocation at inauguration is symbol. If it proves to be a symbol of Obama's ability to unite our country, then it will have proved to be a great thing. If it turns out to be a symbol of his willingness to sell out the LGBT community, then it will have deserved it's denunciations. The problem with history is that by then it will be too late.

Also, on a related note but getting less attention, what's up with Obama having John Roberts swear him in. The guy's like totally conservative ;)

Trendsetter?

Barack Obama will be taking a train to Washington.