witola.com

Here is the latest news update from Equality California:

The California State Senate passed the Harvey Milk Day Bill today in a 24-14 vote with bipartisan support. The bill, authored by Senator Mark Leno (D -- San Francisco) and sponsored by Equality California (EQCA), calls for a "day of special significance" in honor of slain civil rights leader Harvey Milk. The bill also seeks to educate Californians about the former San Francisco City Supervisor, who became the nation's first openly lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender (LGBT) person elected to political office in a major city.

"Harvey Milk risked everything to change the course of history and to advance civil rights for the LGBT community," said EQCA Executive Director Geoff Kors. "There is no one else more fitting to be honored in this way by the state of California."

Milk's groundbreaking service as an openly gay official helped bring LGBT people out of the closet and into civic life. During his time in office, he was responsible for both passing San Francisco's first gay-rights ordinance and helping to defeat the controversial Briggs Initiative, which sought to ban gay and lesbian teachers from public schools. Milk, along with San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, was assassinated in November 1978.

"Harvey Milk is an inspiration to Californians who believe in fairness and equality," said Senator Leno. "He fought for many of the issues we value today, including access to education, public transportation, affordable housing and protecting the environment. Harvey Milk gave his life for what he believed in, and with that courage and sacrifice he gave hope to an entire generation of gay and lesbian people whose basic humanity and freedom had been denied and dishonored," he said.

The legislation was originally introduced last year by Sen. Leno, but Governor Schwarzenegger vetoed the measure at the time, claiming Harvey Milk was not well known enough beyond San Francisco. Since that time, however, Harvey Milk has become a focal point of national conversation following the release of the successful biographical film Milk, for which both actor Sean Penn and screenwriter Dustin Lance Black received an Academy Award. In March, Penn joined Equality California's campaign publicly calling for the day; earlier this month, Black testified before a Senate Committee on the need to appropriately honor the civil rights leader.

The bill will now go before the Assembly.

From one of my favorites Keith Olbermann, enjoy!

A couple of years ago, Dave and I made a trip out to see a niece of his, Kelly, graduate from Georgetown. Dave's mom set up a meet and greet for us to visit with the California Senator Diane Feinstein and get a tour of the Hill. We had a blast, regardless of all the rain.

She whisked in, said hello and thanks for our support and left us to an intern. Not that we are close friends or anything, so went with an intern for the guided tour of DC and loved our capital. Amazing architecture and history.

I felt it my responsibility and write my senator on the global warming issue. She actually responded! I'm sure it goes out to all who ask her vote, but it was still a fun email to receive.

Make your voice heard! Here is her letter...

Dear Mr. OLeary:

I received your letter expressing concern about global warming and agree that the United States must take meaningful action to prevent catastrophic climate change. The urgency is unmistakable. I appreciate hearing your suggestions and welcome the opportunity to respond.

Climate change has already begun to change the world as we know it. We cannot stop it, but we can take action to slow climate change and mitigate its impacts. To do so, the United States must take swift action to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse gas emissions, and make a permanent shift toward clean, renewable energy and energy efficient technologies. I also believe that we must provide leadership for similar international efforts.

Last Congress, I supported legislation that would have capped greenhouse gas emissions from the electric generation, industrial, and transportation sectors, and established an allowance trading program. Please know that I share your concerns, and support taking action to reduce global warming emissions through a cap-and-trade system. I will be sure to keep your suggestions in mind as I continue working to advance measures that address climate change and increase our energy security.

Again, thank you for your thoughtful letter. If you have additional questions or comments, please contact my Washington, D.C. office at (202) 224-3841. Best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Dianne Feinstein
United States Senator

Here are a couple of photos we took:

The gay marriage bill that already passed the Maine Senate just passed the Maine House of Representatives today, Tuesday.

Michael Savage, the radical  and nationally-syndicated talk-radio show host (that airs throughout the United States on Talk Radio Network) - and founder of Rockstar Energy Drink has been banned from entering the United Kingdom, because of his disgusting track record of hateful comments when it comes to issues like homosexuality (gays should get HIV and die), Islam (Muslims should be hung from lamp posts with their guts hanging out) and autism (just kids who are spoiled brats who need to be told to knock it off).

Others joining Savage on this list are a former Grand Wizard of the Ku Klux Klan, two members of a Russian skinhead gang, Rev. Fred Phelps, and the leader of an American neo-Nazi group, among others.  See the company that Michael Savage keeps...and perhaps the company that Rockstar Energy Drink keeps?

The UK's Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith, told the London Times that naming these people enabled others to see the type of hateful and dangerous behavior that won't be tolerated in the country.

"Coming to this country is a privilege. We won't allow people into this country who are going to propagate the sort of views... that fundamentally go against our values," Smith said.

Reviewing his site for details I came across this ad:

To get where this all started, please read April 30th's post "From the Horses Mouth" four posts down...

Rep. Holt Speaks (D-New Jersey) in Favor of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act

Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) speaks during Hate Crimes hearing in Congress 4/29/09

As I mentioned yesterday after the Howard Stern posting and his support of Gay Rights, I inserted a video of the North Carolina congresswoman Virginia Foxx's statement on the House floor. I am so disgusted by her homophobia, ignorance and insensitivity, especially with the fact that Matthew Shepard's mother was in attendance. So much for Christian compassion.

Well today the backlash and responses are pouring in. Here are some awesome feedback videos from Chris Matthews Vs. Rep. Virginia Foxx Over Matthew Shepard Comment and Keith Olbermann taking the ignorant to task!

Former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich isn't going anywhere anytime soon! After corruption charges, scandal and possible jail time the Bob's Big Boy look-a-like still haunts the media. Aren't is 15 minutes of fame over yet?

The defunct politician had requested travel adjustments so he could appear on I'm a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! and was just shut down by Judge James Zagel, who said, "I do not have confidence that things will not go astray if I modify bond conditions."

Blagojevich was all set to travel to Costa Rica to shoot the reality TV show in order to help pay for his impending legal costs.

NBC released a statement saying, "NBC is disappointed in the court's decision today regarding Rod Blagojevich's participation on I'm a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here! but excited about the casting announcement for the show this Friday. There are no plans to move the show to a location in the United States."

Guess that Blagojevich is just gonna have to make money the old-fashioned way - with a job! It amazes me that producers would even consider him someone the public would be interested in seeing on a show. Are we that desparate? Not me.