Motley Moose – Archive

(Also at OC Progressive)

In case you haven’t been paying attention, there’s an uprising going on. LGBT progressives are sick and tired of being taken for granted. We were promised “change” by candidate Obama, but all we’ve seen so far from President Obama & Congress has been more requests for our change ($). Seriously, this needs to change.

Apparently just two days before the scheduled “LGBT DNC Fundraiser Extravaganza” that’s losing donors so fast the DNC & Obama White House are in full panic mode, Fundraiser Co-chair Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA) announces that he will introduce a fully inclusive Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) as his colleague Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) will soon introduce a repeal of the “Defense of Marriage Act” (DOMA). And pay attention to what they have to say.

“I’d like to make it a rule: No yelling at the president until you show me a letter you have written” to your House member and two senators, says gay U.S. Rep. Barney Frank.

As lawmakers prepare to head home for their July 4 recess, key congressional allies emphasize that every member of Congress needs to hear from constituents passionate about passing legislation to move gay Americans toward equality. […]

What does gay-friendly Rep. Jerry Nadler, chairman of the Judiciary subcommittee on civil rights, need voters to do to help him pass the anti-DOMA bill he’ll soon introduce?

“Call your representatives. Meet with them. Pressure them,” Nadler told me.

Nadler hopes to quickly get a Senate companion bill. Already, a House bill to repeal [the “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” (DADT) military service ban] has been introduced. A Senate version is likely shortly.

OK, I get it. Frank and Nadler are trying to deflect criticism of President Obama by telling us to contact our members of Congress. Fine, then. Let’s call them on their bluff.

(Also at OC Progressive & My Silver State)

Compared with the period from 1960 through 1979, temperatures in the Southwest are expected to rise 4 to 10 degrees by the end of the century.

The chance for longer-lasting heat waves could force the region’s residents to use more air conditioning, which would increase the risk of blackouts as electricity supplies become depleted.

The report also warned that the region, already suffering an extended drought as evidenced by declines in Colorado River flow and spring snowpack, should be prepared to face large reductions in spring precipitation by the end of the century. With that, combined with temperature increases and rapid population growth, the Southwest can expect increased competition for water.

The rising temperatures will also lead to more wildfires, and the loss of wetlands will cause more flooding along rivers. Also, ski resort areas will have less snow, cutting recreational opportunities.

While all of this sounds like a doomsday movie script, it is being presented to the public in all seriousness by many of the country’s top scientists.

The Sun mentioned this brutal reality today in a hard-hitting editorial on the need for real action on the climate crisis. The whole world is threatened, but we’re especially at risk here in The American Southwest where I and many others live. We already have little water, but climate change may end up taking away the little water we have left.

So what can we do? We need to change. We need to rethink the way we interact with this planet.

Apparently, this is the news rumored to break before the upcoming LGBT fundraiser for the DNC:

An Obama administration official has confirmed to The Advocate that President Barack Obama will be signing a presidential memorandum Wednesday to provide benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

The signing is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. in the Oval Office, and the president is scheduled to make brief remarks.

I guess this is good news. I mean, it is progress and LGBT federal employees have been waiting quite some time for domestic partner benefits. But if President Obama is doing this just to placate the community to get the money flowing out of our wallets again for the June 26 DNC fundraiser, this isn’t enough.

We want out full civil rights, and we’re tired of small token gestures and nice words followed by inaction. We want full equality, and we want it NOW!

Again, this is good start. LGBT federal employees deserve this kind of respect and protection. And yes, I’ll commend the President for doing it. I just hope tomorrow we’ll also get word of when the rest of us will get some equality as well.

(Proudly cross-posted at My Silver State and OC Progressive)

Fortunately, advocates for a high-speed maglev rail line from Las Vegas to Orange County are still moving forward. Good on them. Unfortunately, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D?-NV) is being lured (aka paid off) to support a not-so-high speed rail line from Vegas to Victorville.

So why should we be furious? I’ll explain after the flip.

(Cross-posted at C4O Democrats and My Silver State)

It finally happened. In case you missed last night’s big news, the Nevada Legislature overrode Idiot-in-Chief Jim Gibbons’ veto to make comprehensive domestic partnerships into law. Nevada is the first Mountain West state to offer legal recognition for same-sex couples, and is the first non-coastal state to do so by way of the Legislature. Believe me, I’m quite proud of “my other home state” today.

But hey, our work isn’t over yet.

(Originally from my updates at OC Progressive and cross-posted at C4O Democrats)

I had so many questions before last weekend. And honestly, I still don’t know exactly what lies ahead. However, I had many of my questions answered as I saw a glimpse of hope rising after the storm.

And yes, believe it or not, my questions were answered in Fresno!

(Proudly cross-posted at OC Progressive)

OK, everyone. There’s still time for us to vote for Heather at DFA-Netroots Nation. Please do so… NOW!

Why? Well, why not send one of our best bloggers to Pittsburgh to represent OC Progressive? Netroots Nation is supposed to be a national gathering for netroots powerhouses and progressive activists, so how would Netroots Nation be complete without Heather?

(Proudly cross-posted at C4O Democrats)

I usually don’t like to wade into LA politics. I usually have enough on my hands with Orange County matters, so I just don’t have time for Los Angeles electoral fights. However, I have to say something about the special election coming up in California’s 32nd Congressional District.

OK, so today’s Mothers’ Day. I’m planning to stop by my mom’s house shortly and check up on her. But before I do that, I must address this:

President Barack Obama’s national security adviser says allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military is in the early discussions.

But retired Marine Gen. James Jones says it’s very preliminary in a very busy administration.

Jones said Sunday he’s not sure if the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would be overturned, although Obama has said he wants it eliminated. Jones said the decision to go forward lies with the president.

For now, Jones says, “We have a lot on our plate right now.”

Mr. Jones, President Obama, and members of Congress, you just allowed this fine patriotic soldier to be fired. And believe it or not, we’ve already lost too many thousands of good soldiers simply because they’re queer. Now’s the time to lift the military service ban. Seriously.

(This is the start of my multi-part series on emerging Western Congressional races in 2010. Also posted at C4O Democrats and OC Progressive.)

If we’re to believe the local news reports, Democrats may actually lose a Congressional seat in Southern California. Central Orange County Assembly Member/Local GOP Power Broker Van Tran has announced he will challenge seven-term Democratic incumbent Loretta Sanchez next year. Already, Republicans are cheering victory and preparing to dance on Loretta’s political grave… But are they celebrating too early?