truth reflects reality

but what is reality

& what is then true?

knowledge implies truth

& who can claim to possess knowledge that

is purely true to reflect the real?

- Alex B. Hill (date written unknown)

Whether we all know it or not we are enslaved by a great system, a system that propagates discrimination based on race, division rooted in the ideas of economic class, military control bent on power, and a political will lacking the necessary passion to stand up for what can easily be perceived as right (as opposed to wrong). Right: equal rights for all people of the world, equal opportunity, fair wage and living standards, a smile from a stranger, an atypical helping hand when it may seem uncouth, truth spoken from the mouth of a fellow on the misdeeds of a few who would wield a vast power in the name of many, not denying people their basic needs. Wrong is spewed from the system in many ways, most are unrecognized and more unknown to the general populace than one might think.

The Advocate has a story today that claims that "70% of LGBT people surveyed favor passing a non-inclusive ENDA over passing nothing at all."

The poll specifically asked "This proposal would make it illegal to fire gay, lesbian, and bisexual workers because of their sexual orientation. This proposal does not include people who are transgender. Would you favor or oppose this proposal moving forward?"

There's a lot more going on there than HRC is admitting, and the question is incredibly misleading.

Yes that's right Dr. Seuss, many of his stories have political undertones, which I believe teach young children about progressive ideals. As I am hanging out in Florida on spring break this week, this thought came across me when my friends and I went to the Universal Islands of Adventure. We stopped in Suess-land and the story of the Sneetches was highlighted on a ride and really surprised me as I re-read and re-thought.

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Florida is once again showing its immense ability to discriminate. In Largo, FL (located in Hillsborough County, the same county that banned gay pride a year and a half ago) the City Commission fired its city manager of 14 years after Steve Stanton disclosed that he would be undergoing a transition to become a woman later this year.

I don't know if any of you know, but the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled that Domestic Partner Benefits in the state of Michigan are not allowed to be offered  by any public  employer, including universities and colleges. You can look at a copy of the ruling here:

http://aclumich.org/pdf/marriageamendmentopinion.pdf

Read more...

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Continuing on the theme of discriminating against loving couples:

The town of Black Jack (whose sole claim to fame until now has been it's award winning public access channel) has denied a living permit to a family of five because the parents are not married. According the Black Jack law, cohabitants have to be related by blood, marriage, or adoption.

I wouldn't be so contemptuous of Black Jack's city leaders if they were enforcing laws they didn't agree with. But apparently the city council recently reaffirmed their support for the law. I guess the Black Jack city council believes it can enforce its morality through zoning restrictions.

I don't like to make idle speculations, but I do want to ask this: would this couple's housing permit have been denied if they were white?