News and Current Events - 2013 to 2014

[Jeff Wrangler]

Earlier this month, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas and Senator Mike Lee of Utah plan to reintroduce an embattled bill that barely gained a House hearing in 2015. But this time around, they said, the First Amendment Defense Act (FADA) was likely to succeed due to a Republican-controlled House and the backing of President-elect Donald Trump.

First Amendment Defense Act Would Be 'Devastating' for LGBTQ Americans
by Mary Emily O'Hara / NBC News

The language of the bill positions the right to discriminate against one class of Americans as a "first amendment" right, and bans the government from taking any form of action to curb such discrimination—including withholding federal funds from institutions that discriminate. FADA allows individuals and businesses to sue the federal government for interfering in their right to discriminate against LGBTQ people and would mandate the Attorney General defend the businesses. Senator Lee's spokesperson said the election of Trump had cleared a path for the passage of FADA.

This sort of thing doesn't surprise me at all. It's what I've been fearing since Election Day.

It's only a matter of time before someone tries to overturn marriage equality.

Supreme Court decisions have been overturned in the past.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

CRAZY people! 

Yes, read all the comments on that post from Trump supporters bashing gay people (the person in question on the plane)
and anyone that doesn't salute their new fuhrer.  They are crazy indeed.  And they now feel they have permission to
come out from under their rocks and then probably hurl them at us.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Yes, read all the comments on that post from Trump supporters bashing gay people (the person in question on the plane)
and anyone that doesn't salute their new fuhrer.  They are crazy indeed.  And they now feel they have permission to
come out from under their rocks and then probably hurl them at us.

Interesting. So it actually was a gay male couple with a child. I was wondering if that mention of "the husband of the unruly passenger" was a mistake, or not.

[Jeff Wrangler]

Well, since I'm about to head out to spend Christmas with my dad, this morning I suddenly thought of a "hot topic" that maybe wasn't so hot this year, with everything else going on.

I can only speak for myself, but I haven't heard, or seen, or read one thing this year about "The War on Christmas"!

Have a lovely holiday weekend, everyone!

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Thanks, Jeff, you too!  Is your Dad also in Pennsylvania?  Wow, you are able to still spend time with your Dad!
I hope that's a good thing for you. If so, enjoy, many of us wish we could do the same.

Yes, the War on Christmas b.s. has been muted this year, though it's been noted that's why Trump wants all his
victory tour "Heil Hitler" rallies to be decorated with Christmas trees and he is purposely saying "Merry Christmas"
at each one of them about a thousand times.

The 2016 Right Wing Watch War On Christmas Gift Guide
http://www.rightwingwatch.org/post/the-2016-right-wing-watch-war-on-christmas-gift-guide/

Oooh...here's an item for your celebration:

Merry Trumpas: Trump's been trying to get his supporters into the Christmas spirit during his multistate victory tour, even speaking in Mobile, Alabama, in front of a giant cedar tree that was cut down from a public park solely so it could be used at his rally, angering most residents. With Christmas becoming part of the Trump brand, it is only fitting that the president-elect’s campaign has released a “Make America Great Again Red Cap Collectible Ornament.”  For the reasonable price of $99, you too can remember what Christmas is all about: Trump!



The article says $99, but this ad says $149.00.  On Amazon it's $250!

___________________________


About cutting down that tree, a Trump bedazzled city official replied:

In preparing for this event, I worked closely with the advance team. In an effort to make sure every detail was covered and the expectations of the President-Elect's team were exceeded, I became overzealous. I now know there are citizens who are upset and offended that a tree from a City park was used as part of the decorations for the event. I accept full responsibility for having this done.

For this, I sincerely apologize. Going forward, I will be more sensitive to the spectrum of concerns regarding trees."

- Colby Cooper, Chief of Staff, City of Mobile

Seems Colby's got Trumpilepsy.

[TinyTina]

Hi, Jeff & Co.!

Interesting. So it actually was a gay male couple with a child. I was wondering if that mention of "the husband of the unruly passenger" was a mistake, or not.

Sure looks like it:


A gay couple was kicked off a JetBlue flight after they were accused of “harassing” Ivanka Trump about her father’s upcoming presidency.

Matthew Lasner and Dan Goldstein were boarding a JetBlue flight home for the holidays when they noticed the future First Daughter on the plane, along with her husband Jared Kushner. Goldstein, a lawyer, decided to challenge Trump about her father.


http://www.newnownext.com/gay-couple-booted-off-jetblue-flight-for-harassing-ivanka-trump/12/2016/

[TinyTina]

Hi, Jeff,

It's only a matter of time before someone tries to overturn marriage equality.
Supreme Court decisions have been overturned in the past.

Yep, things could get scary in the coming months.

I saw this article a while back, on romper.com:

Can Trump Repeal Same-Sex Marriage? The Answer Is Complicated
Donald Trump's victory in the 2016 presidential election has created a culture of fear within the LGBTQ community, members of which are worried about what the election results could mean for them after years of enjoying political gains during the presidency of Barack Obama.

"...Overturning same-sex marriage can only happen in one of three ways, according to Reference.com:

1. States themselves can amend the Constitution, which requires approval by three-fourths of all state legislatures

2. The Supreme Court can overrule itself by revisiting same-sex marriage due to a new conflict that pertains to the original Obergefell v. Hodges decision

3. On rare occasions, Congress can address a Supreme Court ruling it doesn't agree with by passing new legislation to counter the legal precedent

It is important to note, however, that President-elect Trump can easily nullify existing executive orders pertaining to the LGBT community, such as the aforementioned guidance on transgender facilities in schools. He could also decide that LGBTQ people can no longer serve in the military..."

Fingers crossed.

[Pepe1]

7:48 AM PT -- The husband of the unruly passenger tweeted an hour before the plane took off, "Ivanka and Jared at JFK T5, flying commercial. My husband chasing them down to harass them."

That still sounds crazy to me!


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4060308/Ivanka-Trump-family-escorted-Secret-Service-JetBlue-plane-passengers-ushered-waiting-private-jet-bound-Hawaii-accosted-father-flight-took-screaming-lawyer.html


Here is more on the story!


also:

'When the JetBlue staff went back to speak to the man I overheard Ivanka say to them 'I don't want to make this a thing.' My assessment is that she was happy to let the man take his seat. Security made a different call.'




Any way having a husband who just flew four times in the last three weeks, I am not a fan of any kind of commotion/altercations on planes, it is not the time for it.

[brianr]

In this case I do agree, it only plays into the opposition's hands.
Two nights ago a man blew a van up outside a Right wing Christian group's offices in Canberra, anti-same sex marriage and anti-abortion. He is in a serious condition in the hospital burns ward. The police are saying it was not political or religious motivation. It seems he was just a nutcase. Fortunately it was at 9pm and the offices were empty.
The group of course is playing it up as victimisation and saying it is a result of hate speech against them.

In my city there is an archdeacon who is virulently anti gay. I saw him in a coffee shop one day and while I ignored him, I wrote on my blog that I felt like throwing my coffee over him but that would be a waste of good coffee. One of the church blogs picked it up and spread my comment over NZ Anglican church blogs. My vicar made no comment (he never does) but the curate asked to have a meeting with me. After telling him my past history (we had never really said much more than good morning before), he was sympathetic and told me although he is an evangelical he is changing his mind on homosexuality. However he did criticise my statement saying the archdeacon was a brother in Christ. I just snorted.
The same archdeacon came to our church a few weeks ago. he just sat with his family in the service. If he had taken any official role, I would have walked out. He was standing right behind me at coffee but stayed safe
Our bishop is retiring in April. He has been a leader in pushing for gay rights in the church. I am afraid this archdeacon may be campaigning for the job. If he gets it, I will leave. However I think he is too extreme for most of the people in our diocese which already has a few both open and known only to a few, including the bishop, Gay and Lesbian priests.
Anyway my long message just reinforces that we must be careful as the Right wing like to play the victims at the first opportunity.

[Pepe1]

Carrie Fisher Massive Heart Attack on Plane


www.tmz.com/2016/12/23/carrie-fisher-heart-attack-plane/

[suelyblu]

Got him! Anis Amri shot dead in Milan.
One more less to worry about.
Sorry....but that's the only way I can look at it.

[Pepe1]

Carrie Fisher Massive Heart Attack on Plane


www.tmz.com/2016/12/23/carrie-fisher-heart-attack-plane/

Carrie Fisher in hospital intensive care unit after medical emergency on plane

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-4063058/Carrie-Fisher-suffers-cardiac-arrest-plane-claims-report.html#ixzz4TmMBuFXA
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook


Still no word, wonder how her Mom is holding up?

[morrobay]

Christ, 2016, quit already

Ex-Wham! singer George Michael dies

Singer George Michael has died aged 53, his publicist has said.

The star, who launched his career with Wham! in the 1980s and later continued his success as a solo performer, is said to have "passed away peacefully at home".
Thames Valley Police said South Central Ambulance Service attended a property in Goring in Oxfordshire at 13:42 GMT.

Police say there were no suspicious circumstances.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-38432862

[Jeff Wrangler]

Thanks, Jeff, you too!  Is your Dad also in Pennsylvania?  Wow, you are able to still spend time with your Dad!
I hope that's a good thing for you. If so, enjoy, many of us wish we could do the same.

Yes, the War on Christmas b.s. has been muted this year, though it's been noted that's why Trump wants all his
victory tour "Heil Hitler" rallies to be decorated with Christmas trees and he is purposely saying "Merry Christmas"
at each one of them about a thousand times.

Thanks, Lyle. Yes, Dad is in my home town in Pennsylvania. I've had a nice long visit with him, though I think I spoke too soon about "no War on Christmas." The local newspaper in my home town was full of that nonsense. 

[Jeff Wrangler]

I saw Carrie Fisher on the Today show last month, and I remember thinking she didn't look well. No offense--she was only two years older than me, but I thought she looked a lot older, and her voice was very deep and husky.

But still, I'm really, really saddened by her death.

And George Michael. I never heard a song of his that I disliked. I was always impressed that his voice was so clear; you could here every word of the lyrics. And back in the ancient days of the early 1980s--oh, Lordy, would I have gone there!