Day: April 8, 2011

Stand with Planned Parenthood – Sign the Letter to Congress

Jon Ponder

From Planned Parenthood:

On February 18, 2011, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to bar Planned Parenthood health centers from all federal funding for birth control, cancer screenings, HIV testing, and other lifesaving care.

It is the most dangerous legislative assault in our history, and it cannot go unanswered. We — Planned Parenthood and the three million women, men, and teens who are at risk of losing access to basic care — need you to stand united with us now.

Sign our open letter to every single representative in the House who voted for this cruel, unconscionable, unthinkable law, and to every senator who still has a chance to stop it.

Click here to sign an open letter to Congress — trying for 1 million signatures and there were 818,000 at 10:15 a.m.

Hate Group Activist Recants Opposition to Gay Marriage

Jon Ponder

Louis Marinelli, a key activist with the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), an anti-gay group that the Southern Poverty Law Center includes on its official list of hate groups, has recanted his opposition to civil marriage rights for same-sex couples.

From Good As You:

While still not in full support of homosexuality on some levels (where he needs our help to correct misinformation), Louis is now a) repudiating virtually all of the vitriol that he put on the public record; b) is owning up to the major role that he’s played with NOM, including admitting that he was the impetus behind the whole summer tour; and c) is coming out in full support of the civil marriage rights that gay people are seeking.

And even more important that that: He, the man who gave NOM its official “protect marriage” Facebook page and who has been working as an independent contractor with the org. ever since (and still is, reporting directly to Brian Brown, at least up until the moment this post goes live), quite literally credits exposure to the NOM tour as the very thing that led to his change of heart!!!!!

NOM’S Tour mastermind, Facebook founder and online strategist, Louis Marinelli, now supports our civil marriage equality! The [driving force behind the] much-ballyhooed Summer Marriage tour 2010 opened his eyes!

If you’re interested in the gay marriage rights, Marinelli’s recantation is a fascinating read.

[…]

‘Bring It On,’ Says Stockman

Buck Banks

Bring it on. I think the Republicans need to stand rigidly firm and shut the government down for a few days. The Obama White House is weak. If the Republicans hold the line, Obama will fold faster than a lawn chair. And the Republicans will get their $60 billion in reductions.

— Former Reagan budget director David Stockman, in an interview with the Daily Beast.

Rep. Pence Accidentally Tells Truth, Says Shutdown Is Victory for ‘Republican People’

Jon Ponder

Well, I don’t know if we’re checkmating. But we’re trying — we’re trying to score a victory for the Republican people, for — for the American — for the Republican people — trying to score a victory for the American people, not for the Republican Party. That victory is going to come in stages here.

– Rep. Mike Pence (R-Ind.), inadvertently telling the truth on Fox News about the true purpose of the tea party faction’s objective in shutting down the government.

The Shutdown Lowdown

Buck Banks

The budget negotiations have been waylaid.
Now representatives and senators are dismayed.
In the Senate and the House,
They’re starting to grouse:
“What you mean, WE won’t get paid!”

In negotiations that stay confidential
Over outcomes that aren’t inconsequential,
It’s slowly beginning dawn
On everyone, hither and yon,
That Congress really isn’t essential.