I'm very glad you have gotten so involved in this stuff, Terra. Somewhere along the line you will have to tell teh story of how you and james met.
 

It's so good to read a blog that deals with the issues that plague this country and Terra baby,i enjoy reading your blogs especially this one.I say Amen to your opening sentence about we can hardly wait to hear the words President Obama and God only knows that we can't afford another George Bush. This is quite clearly the worst administration that i've ever seen in my life since Herbert Hoover and as a result of this crooked President,i lost my job at the mill and i had to turn in my car because i couldn't afford the monthly payments-all the more reason for me to vote.I'll be checking out your website,Terra baby,and keep on rockin' the airwaves with your pretty presence and sweet singing.Give a shoutout back to your friend and fan,big Rick,and i love ya always!
 

I hopped online before going to bed and got your blog notification... a cool little diversion before nodding off :)

I just finished rechecking all of my choices of votes for tomorrow - again. I decided to actually vote at the polling place, because this is Tara's first voting experience and I thought it would be neat to go vote together. I'm excited about it!

I agree, NO on 8 is the only correct option. Discrimination is wrong, no matter how you cut it. I found, what I can construe as discrimination, within at least two other props as well. And, it made my decision simple, based on my rule of not voting in favor of anything that is clearly defined as 'wrong' (of course, we all have our opinions, heh).

Anyway, before I write too much (too late? lol) - I wanted to comment about the Celebrity Rehab pages. I probably wouldn't be interested in linking as friends with any of them either. But, during the first episode of this new season (my first time seeing the show), I actually teared up at times. With most, I found the extent of their addictions and troubles so sad and disturbing. I felt for them. Speaking of really sad... Obama's Grandmother's passing :(

Anyway, I'm going to try my best to make it out Thursday. A lot is going on this week for me, so I can't promise I'll be there... but, I really want to be, so hopefully it will work out in my favor! :)

P.S. Keep positive thoughts about the election results!
 

I voted yes on prop 8, because there was a lot more stuff that goes into that. My biggest problem with it, is that the public schools would be required to teach children about homosexuality, and things involved with it. Even so young as kindergarten. I'm sorry, but 5 years old is WAY to young to learn about sex. What ever happened to innocence?
 

i'm sorry, but that is simply not true.
there is nothing in prop 8 which mentions education.
not one word.
it is about equal rights, for ALL PEOPLE.
NOT the education of children.
there has been SO MUCH propaganda surrounding this proposition.
that is because the right-wing religious organizations are pouring TONS of money into spreading their message of misinformation and hatred.
PLEASE - anyone who is not clear on the the specifics of proposition 8 - please check out the link below and get the facts straight.
we do not have the right to discriminate against ANYONE.
http://www.noonprop8.com/about/fact-vs-fiction?source=google&gclid=COWXiM2E3JYCFRg6awody3Qz2g
 

hm how about a website that's not biased on the issue? I can't seem to find one. It's either YES and prop 8, or NO on prop 8, and all of it is conflicting so I'm not really sure what to believe. Maybe if I saw an official website that has the california state law, so that I can read it myself (instead of some blog, or a site that's for or against it) then I'd be able to make a MORE educated decision. In the end i have to decide which lies to believe. Right? Just like with Obama.

I dunno, whatever. I hate politics.


oh and p.s. I'm not hateful towards homosexuality, I just don't want to be forced to teach my kids about it. Just like evolution.
 

hi kat,

here is something from the LA Times voter guide, which was given the thumbs up by a website which claims to be "grassroots politics from the center-right" - they are not a liberal website, and they endorsed the LA Times voter guide as being non-biased.

from the "center-right" website: "I was shocked to see in the LA Times today that their voter guide was actually fair and balanced. There was no liberal slant on any of the measures."

here is what the LA Times voter guide had to say about prop 8:

Outlaws same-sex marriage by adding the following words to the state Constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California."

"It's the same sentence as in 2000: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California." Yet the issue that will be put before voters Nov. 4 is radically different. This time, the wording would be used to rescind an existing constitutional right to marry. We fervently hope that voters, whatever their personal or religious convictions, will shudder at such a step and vote no on Proposition 8."


***notice the part that says "adding the following words to the state Constitution" - this is the BIG PROBLEM. we cannot allow changes to be made to the constitution in order to discriminate IN ANY WAY against ANY group of people!
period.
that sets a very bad precedent, no?

all the other issues having to do with education in schools, the cutting of funding for churches, whatever propaganda was spread during the "yes on 8" campaign - those are NOT part of proposition 8.

i hope that helps.
xox
terra
 

hey thanks for putting effort into that, and making it about the facts, and not hurling insults around like some of your fans *raise eyebrow* You just gained a few points of respect in my book.

it is helpful, thank you.
 

"Just like evolution"?
Yeah! I don't want kids learning about gravity either! It's invisible angels and God's love that keeps us from drifting into space, not this "gravity" hogwash!

Hi Terra!
Sorry I missed your gig last night. Next time!
 

still didn't give me a site did ja? so shove it!

if you can't say anything other then insults, then don't say anything at all. didn't your mother raise you better then that?
 

thank you for clarifying that. it makes me sick how those ads used children to get votes. So many people were mislead. Would it have changed their minds if they knew the truth? I would like to think so, but I am so disheartened now that I have little faith in much of anything these days. I am sure that will change in days or weeks to come. :)
 

Jaimie is correct. Voting NO on Prop 8 has absolutely, one hundred percent nothing to do with teaching children about gay sex, sex, gay marriage, etc. It IS sad to see people completely misguided by advertising and misinformation. I hope most people who voted did a bit more homework on the issue.
 

This comment is not in reply to James, but I wanted this to post below the more important comments, about the issue raised, in reply to Kat.

Reading Kat's comment, she states that she voted yes on prop 8, BECAUSE there was A LOT MORE STUFF that GOES INTO THAT. "My (her) BIGGEST PROBLEM with it, is..."

What I'm reading into what she's saying here (or not saying) is that she has other problems with the whole issue. I SENSE that the idea of homosexuality goes against her personal beliefs, even if she denies so - and most likely factored into her decision to vote yes. But, no matter how anyone feels about homosexuality or how marriage is to be defined, Prop 8 entails discrimination, what I believe should be the only factor to take into consideration.

*For the record, this was not an attack on Kat! I felt what I 'sensed' to be another factor in her decision in favor of Prop 8 was important to point out as well.
 

After reading Jaimie's comment again, I now realize I didn't need to leave the above comment. But, it felt good to further voice my feelings on this matter, so I guess it's all good ;)
 

Oh! And, especially your comment reply, to Kat, too (I didn't need to leave another comment) - don't know how I missed that before! Off to vote... finally! When the the two of us (Tara and I) are getting ready at the same time it can take forever to get out of the house, lol.
 

Good luck, honey, with everithing! Can't wait to hear the new music and the old recordings. And see the new website!

Lovelovelove!
 

Well we don't get prop 8 ads over this side of the water, although we are getting saturation coverage of the US election. I think it is perceived as a watershed election - a bit like Kennedy in 1960 (but without the unfortunate connections with gangsters of which people where unaware at the time).

The reality TV thing will pass - watching a bunch of poor, shallow, publicity-addicted saps and feeling you can't be quite that bad yourself is an indulgence. A bit like eating too much chocolate; it's a pleasure for a while, but you feel vaguely guilty, and then a bit queasy, knowing that it's not doing you any good.

Incidentally, do you know Tift Merritt? She sung the national anthem at Barack Obama's final North Carolina rally yesterday. You could say she is a big Obama supporter. I saw her perform at Cornbury Festival this year. She lit the place up and was worth getting soaked for.

Anyway, she is going to be appearing at a tiny theatre (capacity 180) in Buckinghamshire at the end of the month, recording a live album, which I'm really looking forwards to. Quite what a girl from North Carolina is doing over here doing that, I've no idea, but she was sunshine personified at Cornbury. As you'll know, we are a bit short of that; both literally and figuratively.
 

I cross all my fingers (even my toes !!!) hoping that Obama will be your next president ! USA need him, Europe needs him, all the countries need him, we all need this open-minded person to take a new direction towards peace and equity. We all have to sing "Say it's possible" ! Go ahead Terra you're wonderful ! Bisous from France Stef
 

i agree with you 100% - the WORLD needs this change in US government.
when i think about the US, i think about the world.
i am an american, for sure, but i am more invested in my concept of the world as a whole, and myself as a citizen of the world.
as a citizen of the world, with the interests of every country in mind, we need obama.
and as a citizen of the US, we are in desperate need of the change he will bring.
 

looking forward to your new website and being able to purchase the 2002 cd. Roll on the new album too ;o)
 

Go - Go - Go Terra ;) I'm also producing reality tv but just in German language: Maybe u could write a comment ;) Would be awesome for me - maybe the best day of my whole life... PLEASE WRITE A COMMENT! PLEEASSE *G* PLEEASSSEE!!!
 

I like your music but ......NOBAMA!!!!!
 

thank you! i'm glad you like my music and that we can all voice our opinions openly!!
it's pretty amazing, when you think about it.
 

I heart you so much. No on H8
 

I feel honoured to possibly be one of the reasons you watch reality tv. Make the right choice voting or I may have to make Elmo get revenge.
 

No on Obama, seriously what change is he going to bring us.. He is not going to be the right change for america, the people he has associated with and his past is really disturbing. I also love how the democrats love to bash Palin for her 18 year old daughter being pregnant but yet they seem to forget that Obamas mother was a white woman not married at the age of 17 who became pregnant with Obama.


He started college in 1979 in California which he is very open about how he wasted his time and tried all kinds of drugs. Now the scary parts.. He met Antoin "Tony" Rezko, born in Aleppo, Syria and a real estate developer in Chicago . Rezko has been convicted of fraud and bribery this year. Rezko was named "Entrepreneur of the Decade" by the Arab-American Business and Professional Association". About two years later, Obama entered Harvard Law School. Do you have any idea what tuition is for Harvard Law School ? Where did he get the money for Law School? More student loans? After Law school, he went back to Chicago . Rezko offered him a job, which he turned down. But, he did take a job with Davis , Miner, Barnhill & Galland. Guess what? They represented "Rezar" which is Rezko's firm. Rezko was one of Obama's first major financial contributors when he ran for office in Chicago . In 2003, Rezko threw an early fundraiser for Obama which Chicago Tribune reporter David Mendelland claims was instrumental in providing Obama with "seed money" for his U.S. Senate race. In 2005, Obama purchased a new home in Kenwoood District of Chicago for $1.65 million (less than asking price). With ALL those Student Loans - Where did he get the money for the property? On the same day Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining empty lot for full price. The London Times reported that Nadhmi Auchi, an Iraqi-born Billionaire loaned Rezko $3.5 million three weeks before Obama's new home was purchased. Obama met Nadhmi Auchi many times with Rezko.

Now, we have Obama running for President. Valerie Jarrett was Michele Obama's boss. She is now Obama's chief adviser and he does not make any major decisions without talking to her first. Where was Jarrett born? Ready for this? Shiraz , Iran ! Do we see a pattern here? Or am I going crazy?

On May 10, 2008 The Times reported, Robert Malley advisor to Obama was "sacked" after the press found out he was having regular contacts with "Hamas", which controls Gaza and is connected with Iran . This past week, buried in the back part of the papers, Iraqi newspapers reported that during Obama's visit to Iraq , he asked their leaders to do nothing about the war until after he is elected, and he will "Take care of things".

Oh, and by the way, remember the college roommates that where born in Pakistan ? They are in charge of all those "small" Internet campaign contribution for Obama. Where is that money coming from? The poor and middle class in this country? Or could it be from the Middle East ?

And the final bit of news. On September 7, 2008, The Washington Times posted a verbal slip that was made on "This Week" with George Stephanapoulos. Obama on talking about his religion said, "My Muslim faith". When questioned, "he made a mistake". Some mistake!

All of the above information I got on line. If you would like to check it - Wikipedia, encyclopedia, Barack Obama; Tony Rezko; Valerie Jarrett: Daily Times - Obama visited Pakistan in 1981; The Washington Times -September 7, 2008; The Times May 10, 2008.

Dont believe it LOOK IT UP! Do your research!!! Hitler gave amazing speeches and started a Genocide, just because someone says CHANGE and I will change the country does not always mean he will do it the right way. You cannot believe everything you hear or read, so do your own research and decide for yourself. I think it is just amazing how everyone is so eager to vote for a man who will not even put his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance....
 

Just a few things, Erin, to show you're way, way off base with this stuff -- (and I'm also hip to the fact you're cut and pasting from right wing web sites. Perhaps you should start checking your sources out at snopes.com and other places not affiliated with the right or left before you do this...)

1. Where Obama got the money for his schooling is of completely public record. He and Michelle amassed massive student loan bills, and they paid it off with money he made from his book sales. Same with the property. Again, this is all of public record, so your argument there is pretty much dead.

2. Rezko's relationship with Obama is way overstated, and is a result of propaganda by both the Clinton and McCain campaigns. Rezko was very involved in Chicago and federal politics -- for instance, he also organized a 3.5 million fundraiser FOR GEORGE W. BUSH (is he a terrorist too?) Obama didn't really know Rezko (they weren't friends), and didn't know about his sleazy background. He did throw a fundraiser for Obama, like he did dozens of other politicians, because the dude had a keen political eye. Obama never did him a single favor.

3. As for the Muslim stuff, it's just ridiculous. Obama comes from a deeply Christian family. His ONE major mistake during the overall campaign was belonging to the church of Jeremiah Wright, who has admittedly said some ridiculous shit -- but he's a CHRISTIAN minister. I mean, come on.

4. As for your "verbal slip", Obama was talking about how McCain never directly accused him of being a Muslim, and in THAT CONTEXT said something about his supposedly Muslim faith. It's absolutely ludicrous that this would even be considered a slip of any sort.

That's all I have time for now. But the rest of your charges are similarly silly.
 

Yeah, well "Obama" sounds a lot like Osama and Barack sounds like Iraq (if you only slightly mispronounce one or the other)! How do you explain that away, Mr. Gunn?! Ridiculous, meaningless coincidence you say? Oh sure. Keep you rhead buried in the sand. You'll need to get used to it when the USA becomes Western-Middle East and LA is New Baghdad and you can't find decent sushi anymore. Then you'll be sorry for voting for Iraq Osama!
 

...HAHAHAA...your joking, right?? Good one, really! Oh, wait, I have an Iranian friend, maybe I should call the police, he must be a terrorist! Stupid crap...oops, Im sorry. Some of these Iranian voices in my head told me to say that... HAAHAAAAR :)
 

oh no! obama has iranian friends!! and of course every iranian wants to destroy america, even the ones who don't! it must be true because it says so on the internet....
 

Terra, Baby... I love your voice...and I totally agree with your opinion! So, I..m going to like you every day more ;)) I heard today the first time something about "prop 8" and I cannot believe that something like that "yes on prop 8" website and organisation even exists. Really, I checked it out a few minutes ago and I..m just...shocked!! What a bloody, f***ing crap! In which century do we live?? It..s just pure discrimination concealed behind this whole "we have to protect the family" thing. SO....WHO EVER HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY, THAT A GAY /LESBIAN COUPLE, MAYBE WITH KIDS, IS NO FAMILY??? I..m feeling so sad, even when I..m not living in the US and so it doesn..t concern me "directly". You know, I..m sitting here, in this moment, in my living room together with my girlfriend. We live together in Cologne, Germany. I..m loving her so much, she..s so beautiful. Living without her? ...I cannot even imagine that anymore! She..s my live and I..m going to marry her in maybe 1-2 years...and we want children! And REALLY...I don..t think that we will endanger someone or something with that...It..s just about LOVE...and LOVE doesn..t know any genders... Why are still so much people AFRAID about stuff they just don..t know or that they can..t imagine. We (gays and lesbians and transgenders and all the other stuff ;)) are humans like all the others. We accept and like "your" livestyle, so PLEASE do the same with ours! Whats so hard about that? I don..t know... LOVE IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN THIS WORLD, EVERY KIND OF LOVE, so don..t put it into a prison build out of your fears... Ok, that..s it for this moment... Greetz, Gina (Oh, and I..m sorry if my English is maybe bad in some sentences...*lol*)
 

if you like check out these emails i got from some 'yes on 8 people' and my replies... those people are seriously brain dead.
 

@ NO on prop H8te: THX for that comment...braindead is the right word, I think! Good god...;)
 

Thank you terra for posting what you did about Obama and Prop 8. I'm much more concerned that will pass than that Obama will be our next President (because I know from my intuition and heart that he is going to win by a landslide). Californians need to step up and prove themselves worthy as the state the rest of nation seems to look to in duplicating laws and policies. As a huge Democratic state, I will be pretty devastated if it passes. What will THAT foretell for the future? More ignorance and intolerance propagated across the board. As I stood in my little neighborhood made-of-cardboard-shaky voting booth this morning, I teared up at the power I held in my hand; a felt pen that was about to mark an oval to determine policy in my state and country.

Why do so many people fail to read and educate themselves instead of jumping on a bandwagon with faulty information? I do not understand why this power to effect positive change for us as a society is so misunderstood and so seemingly disrespected.

As I was coming to work on the bus after voting, I saw a series of political statements in the windows of the Federal Building in downtown San Diego:

"Freedom is the last, best hope of earth" -- Abraham Lincoln

Freedom from tyranny, racism, bigotry, misogyny, homophobia. I'm still waiting for my
Star Trek future. Let's make it happen.
 

-Bravo, Terra. I will further illustrate your points. The following is an article I wrote in December of 2005 for the Webzine www.StrangeRoad.com. It's cut and pasted directly from my own blog. Most of the facts are still valid, as is the reasoning behind its presentation. Voting conscientiously means standing up to bigotry, fighting religious persecution, and voting for equality and justice. Thanks for reading. - J -


Are You Saying Gay is UnAmerican?
by Jonathan Downard

The institution of marriage has been going through changes and updates for centuries. A woman used to be considered a man's property. Until the Civil War, African-Americans were not allowed to marry at all. Couples of mixed race couldn't marry in the U.S. until 1967. Until 2001, same-sex couples couldn't legally be married anywhere in the entire world. But don't worry. Perfectly delusional or stupid heterosexuals can still plunge headlong into the misery of dysfunctional marriage conveniently, quickly, and sometimes even at a drive-thru.

Holland was the first to let it go, broadening their definition of marriage to allow any two committed adults. Belgium was next in 2003, followed by almost all of Canada. In 2004, Massachusetts became the only state in the Union to institute a policy of marriage equality. These are the only places in the world I'm aware of, although I hear Switzerland, Spain, and Ireland are mulling it over. This country seems to have lost sight of its global mission: to be the best and most important pantomime of a democracy in the world. Isn't something wrong with our so-called Land of the Free, beacon of democracy, being less egalitarian than Belgium? We've been one-upped in the most important civil rights dispute in decades.

Massachusetts requires that same-sex couples swear to reside within Massachusetts' borders, outside of which the marriage is unrecognized in any way. 44 U.S. States have laws or amendments that specifically prohibit same-sex marriage, whereas Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Rhode Island, and Washington D.C. don't actually explicitly prohibit it, at this time. And nowhere in the U.S. are foreign same-sex marriages recognized. Many States now have civil unions available to couples who seek them, but these have never equalled the 400-or-so rights, obligations, and priveledges that the union of marriage affords heterosexuals. Marriage also bestows over 1000 federal rights and priviledges that no same-sex union has yet received. So, it's obvious to me that the majority are afraid of gay marriages, but I still don't get it. What has them all so scared?

After reviewing a lot of material, I've come to the conclusion that those who oppose same-sex marriage do so because of fear of the unknown, some sort of superiority complex, or the good old, "infallible" Bible. Most seem to be more interested in attacking gay life rather than protecting something sacred. My understanding of the U.S. Constitution is that religion and government are to be kept separate and independent of each other. With that said, there is little to fear about homosexuals being married. Experts on sex offenders assert that homosexuals are no more likely to abuse or molest children or spouses than heterosexuals are. There is no forseeable increase in crime or terrorism due to same-gender marriage, either. Allowing gays to marry will in no way affect the rights or lives of heterosexual couples. Throughout history, there has never been any solid evidence that homosexuality has ever actually damaged the quality of life of any civilization. In this country, there are homosexuals among the wealthiest, best mannered, most talented, and most creative contributors to society. Do heterosexuals have some need to feel like they have more that's available to them, simply because they're not gay? Is it pure fear? Or are we allowing groups of individuals to act in direct violation of the Constitution, denying rights to another certain group of individuals based on a certain set of religious beliefs. Slave owners and wife beaters have often tried to offer religious doctrine as a justification for what they do.

It's not as if the world hasn't had a chance to get used to it. From Alexander the Great to Oscar Wilde and Walt Whitman, homosexuals have been a significant part of human history. There have always been societies in the world that accepted them without such discrimination. Homosexuals have built and dismantled empires, expanded minds, and entertained. They have been with us since we began to walk erect, yet so much of the world is bent upon oppressing them.

Maybe it's just a strange love of the word "marriage" that hangs everyone up so much. You've seen how people get when they start talking about weddings and married life, not to mention the diamond commercials and other frequent flashes of misty sentimentalism. Maybe straight people are just scared to let gays join this club. Call it a mass emotional response against "the other." Nothing else makes sense.

The truth is that America is missing out on something huge.

Most of the legislators in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives have been, at one time, lawyers. Most of the members of the legislatures of the fifty States are also lawyers. The rest have mostly been military veterans or public servants of some kind, receiving their pay from citizens' taxes. This illustrates an amazing irony. If same-sex marriage were legal and practiceable nationwide, there would be a huge number of new fees, marriage licenses, ceremonies, anullments, name-changes, etc; all meaning more income for the state and/or federal governments. For the lawyers, ahhhh-- prenuptual agreements, dissolutions, divorces, custody battles, alimony and child support cases, estate procedures, etc, etc, etc. In a country where capitalism almost always wins, I find it hard to believe that so many people are so vehemently against all of that extra revenue earning potential. Our people have even been sent to war often for the sake of profits. Personally, I'd rather let two men marry than make them kill each other. And I believe that a man/woman should fully possess the right to risk losing half of his/her livelihood in a divorce to either a man or a woman, his/her choice!

All of this points to people with control issues who can't embrace diversity. This is sad, as diversity is what holds the planet together, ecologically and otherwise. Is their faith so weak that they can't allow those around them to disagree? You just can't tell people how to have relationships with each other any more than you can tell people how they ought to have a relationship with God.

Priests and nuns who take a vow of chastity are considered to be something like "married to God." I am left to wonder why a gay man isn't allowed to take that vow. Ignoring the lovely bearded paintings in the Sistine Chapel and elsewhere, there has never been any proof of God's gender. Since the priest is giving himself over to God, how can it be more holy or acceptable for a heterosexual to give up his sexual urges/identity than it is for a homosexual? The church has damned them whether they have sex or not, and even if they give it up for their faith. The question definitely is, "what would Jesus do?" Usually thought of as one of the ultimate champions of love, forgiveness, and tolerance, His opinion is most likely to be contrary to that of His Holy Church-- and certainly not for the first time.

The Vatican recently published its "Instruction Concerning The Criteria of Vocational Discernment Regarding Persons With Homosexual Tendencies in View of Their Admission to Seminaries and Holy Orders," which was drafted by the Vatican's Congregation for Catholic Education and approved by Pope Benedict on August 31, 2005. This document was simply a further reaffirmation of the Church's 1961 precedent that bars homosexuals from the priesthood. This document refers to homosexuality as a "tendency" rather than a sexual orientation and repeats themes that have angered gays in the past. It does not apply to existing priests, in no way addresses the scandals involving child molestations within the Church, and seems to serve no purpose other than discrimination. The "instruction" applies to those entering seminaries to prepare for priesthood, and says that homosexual tendencies must be clearly overcome at least three years prior to admission to the deaconate, a stepping-stone to priesthood. The document says practicing homosexuals, men who support "gay culture," and men with "deep-seated homosexual tendencies" should be banned from entering the priesthood. It stated only an exception for individuals with "homosexual tendencies that might only be a manifestation of a transitory problem, as, for example, delayed adolescence." I have no idea what that's supposed to mean or imply, but I can clearly see that the Catholic Church is not changing its sexist position anytime soon. I must admit I did not expect many big changes from the old Vatican or the new pope who used to be a Nazi youth..

The document calls homosexual acts "grave sins" that have no justification, whatsoever. It says, "if a candidate practices homosexuality, or presents deep-seated homosexual tendencies, his spiritual director as well as his confessor have the duty to dissuade him in conscience from proceeding towards ordination... ...such persons find themselves in a situation that presents a grave obstacle to a correct relationship with men and women." It also says that the Church should have profound respect for homosexuals, and outward discrimination should be strictly avoided... but isn't this document a massive example of discrimination in writing?

It is unclear how the Vatican intends to apply them, and, as these definitions of "homosexual tendencies" are rather loose, anyone could possibly be accused of being gay and become the victim of a witch-hunt. As Eric Naing of The Daily Illini commented, Pope Benedict XVI could even be a suspect:

"Judging by his fashion sense, he seems to have fully embraced the concepts of high fashion and true fabulousness. Shunning the tailors who have dressed popes for more than 200 years, this chic Catholic has turned to a much younger fashion house, which, according to Newsweek, "has provided the pope with dazzling new vestments (some with shimmering, sequinlike details)"... ...The fashionista father has also been seen sporting a pair of Gucci sunglasses and bright red Prada loafers while cruising around in his popemobile."

All jokes aside, it's likely that the Catholic Church would achieve better attendance and allegiance with a policy of tolerance. Perhaps letting priests marry would finally be a step in the right direction. Better that than to scapegoat innocent homosexuals rather than actually dealing with the child molestation crisis and other real problems. This is not confined to the Catholic Church, either. On August 13, 2005, the largest Lutheran denomination in the United States decided not to allow homosexuals into the clergy, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's national assembly in Orlando, Fla., also rejected a measure that would have blessed same-sex marriages. While some churches have accepted homosexuals, this debate is dividing the different denominations of most of the religions practiced in the United States and the world. Much like the marriage issue, it seems pointless to me to deny them. Gay men aren't any more likely to molest children or violate their priestly vows than straight ones.

Homosexuals bear a heavy load of prejudice and discrimination around the world. Here in the U.S, we have homosexual icons of excellence, fame, and style; we have regular gay characters on our prime time TV shows; and we have a history of contributions by homosexuals, speculatively including presidents, military men, and civil servants of all kinds. Yet, as a nation, we continue to shun gays from family lives, religions, and the common institution of marriage. An old friend of mine once remarked, "It's like gay is the new black." As long as our government continues to approve discrimination and religious intolerance, we are not living up to our American ideals of equality, freedom, and justice for all.

copyright 2005, Jonathan Downard


And now, the shameless plug for my band, The Lazarus Effect:

Don't be the last to hear our new song!! We have begun our new studio recordings! Check out "Bella" now!

www. myspace. com/thelazaruseffect

Thanks to all those who support us.
 

Well stated my dear!
 

Did I say everyone from Iran is a terrorist? NO! I was stating a point and fact that it is scary that our possibly next president associates himself with CONVICTED FELONS!!! Your friends aren't convicted felons so I am pretty sure yeah there is no second guessing on what kind of person they are and who they are associated with. Even if the people Obama associated with convicted felons that were white, black, blue or purple it wouldn't matter they still are shady people and it all doesn't add up. I am not racist towards people from the middle east what so ever but when there are red flags I'm gonna point them out. And what are your responses? No backing up Obama, no pointing out the good he may do, just laughing and making stupid remarks. Nice people...

Here is even more interesting facts..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RZVw3no2A4
 

In addition to my above post, if you want to go by guilt by association with convicted felons, John McCain would be the hands down winner -- there's Robert Asher, G. Gordon Liddy, Jim Hensley, Charles Keating, Raffaello Follieri - convicted felons all, and most of whom have much closer ties with McCain than Rezko did with Obama.

All of which isn't to say that McCain has something wrong with him because of it. But these people are politicians who can interact with hundreds of people in a day. It's easy to find a bunch of losers in the bunch.
 

You know, I have ex-cons in my family and am friends with people who have done time, so does that mean I should never run for office because I've associated myself with humans, i.e. people who've made mistakes? You think McCain and Palin haven't been associated with some shady types in their past and present? Google that shit.

If you don't vote for him because you don't agree with his stance on certain issues or the health case plan he proposes or whatever, I can understand your point of view. But to not vote for someone simply based on internet-fueled conspiracy theories is really very sad.
 

ok mistakes and bad decisions are one thing.... but the hamas are a KNOWN terrorist group, and they are endorsing him. They want him to be president because they don't view him as a threat, especially since he's cutting our defense money. If you were associated with a serial killer, and didn't deny your relationship, then yeah, I'd question you too. Duh it's common sense. Suddenly because some dude with good orating skills and pizazz when he speaks, wants to run, oh we all shit our pants, and get all googly eyed about it.

Ridiculous.

p.s. I'm not a huge fan of McCain either, but I have to choose somebody.
 

I just think it would be nice if all people white,black, blue,pink,gay,straight etc. would be all equal in the United States..if other countries can have gay marriage legal why can't we? After all we are suppose to be a free country right? At one time black people couldn't even vote right? Or it was a big deal for a white woman to date a black man so why not just let people live their own life and stop bringing your personal beliefs into everything. It would be awesome if we could all have a open mind and not a blind eye to all the things around us that are beautiful. Love is beautiful no matter what your preference is.

I believe in change, peace and love...I have hope!! Go Obama!

Love those who discriminate and hate b/c for those who are the ones that need love the most.

Much Love,
Kel
 

Hi Terra, I'm following the election day from Italy... I'm hoping to see Obama President... it would change the world and also the italian political situation, very sad in this period. In the italian government there are persons who propose different classes for immigrants in primary schools.I think that when an afro-american will be at the White House, these stupid ministers will shut their mouth for ever!I'm as hopeful as you... kisses!
 

the whole concept of prop 8 and why it is even brought up as a proposition baffles me. When ever I pass by a lawn with a prop 8 sign I just wanna tear it down but I heard people have been shot tearing down signs soo... I'll pass for now.
 

OBAMA WON! congrats terra lol.
 

*wohooooooo* Good choice, America!! ;) Gina
 

Currently Yes is Winning...
Its just sickening....
Ohmehgosh Gay are going to rule our childrens school.~
Bull!
And I hear that damn reason one more freakin time Im going to flip.
...

lOVE YOU TERRA
~!!!
<3333
 

congrats to all obama voters.
 

You got your wish Terra. However, just think what we've lost - will we any longer get the sort of classics listed here :-

http://politicalhumor.about.com/library/blbushisms.htm

(Hopefully MySpace won't have messed around with the link - or at least it will be salvageable).
 

I feel your pain on prop 8 - here we had the similar prop 2 which "defines marriage between one man and one woman". And it passed with a 62% majority.

So sad that there are people in this nation who still feel the need to discriminate based on gender AND people who feel the need to impose their religious views upon everyone via government. If your church doesn't want to marry homosexuals, it doesn't have to. But if two people who love each other want to get married, who cares if they're same gender - let them at least be able to. They pay taxes. They support this country same as any hetero couple. Let them have equal rights when it comes to marriage.

Stuff like prop 8 and prop 2 just throw us one step backwards towards the stone age. Besides, not to make light of the issue, but if you think some hetero celeb divorces are ugly...can you imagine a gay one? TMZ would never go off the air! LOL

Anyways, looking forward to a new cd when it's done. :) New tunes from you are always welcome news.
 

I never thought the race to the highest office in our nation would come down to race. It's a difficult time in our nation and most voted like it was american idol vote. We have to live with the result of the vote so no bitching when bad turns to worse.