Why does this happen to all the truly beautiful talents?
Over and "Out" on a very chilly morning, from Portsmouth, VA USA
More Wednesday Male Beauty
13 hours ago
February 12, 2012
February 7, 2012
On to the Supreme Court of The United States...
"There is cause to celebrate today. The Ninth Circuit’s ruling today upholding the decision of Judge Walker takes California–and this nation–one important step closer to marriage equality. It reaffirms that the proponents of Prop 8, who would deny this basic right to millions of their fellow citizens, never had any real facts to back up their claims that same-sex marriage harms traditional marriage, or children, or society at large. Indeed, as the plaintiffs showed in the trial court, study after study has demonstrated that promoting stable, loving relationships is a good thing all around. This of course comes as no shock to anyone who knows gay and lesbian married couples–and the children reared by them.
Unfortunately, today’s decision does not mean that same-sex couples can resume getting hitched in California. Prop 8 may be unconstitutional, but it’s still in effect until the Supreme Court finally rules. But the long legal process underlying the challenge to this insidious law has had at least one positive effect: As state after state legalizes same-sex marriage, more Americans have had a chance to realize that the sky is not falling. Recent polls indicate a slim national majority now support marriage equality.
Most tellingly, 70% of Americans under the age of 30 support same sex marriage. And so if the battle is not won in the courtroom, it will inevitably be won in the court of public opinion. If the Supreme Court wants to be on the correct side of history, to say nothing of justice, it will and must uphold today’s decision.
I am nearly 75 years old. I have lived through four wars, spent my childhood in two U.S. internment camps, and watched a nation go from segregation and Jim Crow to electing an African American president.
The promise of true equality in America remains unfulfilled, but with each moment like today, I know that we can be a nation that lives up to its ideals. And I can’t wait for all those wedding invitations.
— GHT"
I copied this from my friend George's blog (without permission)...
Over, "Out", and a little more optimistic from Portsmouth, VAgina, USA
January 30, 2012
The College of William and Mary and It Gets Better!
I had a friend of mine send me the above (thank you Allison)... After watching it and going to the College's website, I thought I'd offer some fun facts about the College of William and Mary. I Know it's a long video for my blog, but it's worth watching these kids and the faculty:
The College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, VA
Not many colleges can say they've canceled classes because 'the British invaded'.
The College of William & Mary is the second-oldest college in America. The original plans for the College date back to 1618—decades before Harvard—but were derailed by an “Indian uprising.” We couldn’t make this stuff up.
On February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England signed the charter for a “perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences” to be founded in the Virginia Colony. And William & Mary was born.
Workers began construction on the Sir Christopher Wren Building, then known simply as the College Building in 1695, before the town of Williamsburg even existed. Over the next two centuries, the Wren Building would burn on three separate occasions, each time being re-built inside the original walls. That makes the Wren the oldest college building in America, and possibly the most flammable.
The College has been called “the Alma Mater of a Nation” because of its close ties to America’s founding fathers. A 17-year-old George Washington received his surveyor's license through the College and would return as its first American chancellor. Thomas Jefferson received his undergraduate education here, as did presidents John Tyler and James Monroe.
William & Mary is famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776), the first student honor code and the first law school in America.
The College became a state-supported school in 1906 and went coed in 1918. In 1928, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. chose the Wren as the first building to be returned to its 18th-century appearance as part of the iconic Colonial Williamsburg restoration.
Over, "Out" and wiping a couple tears from my face, here in Portsmouth, VA USA
January 29, 2012
Is this the Congress We all Want?...
No one has been able to explain to me why young men... and women serve in the U.S. Military for 20 years, risking their lives protecting freedom, and only get 50% of their pay. While Politicians hold their political positions in the safe confines of the capital, protected by these same men and women, and receive full pay retirement after serving one term. It just does not make any sense.
On Fox news they learned that the staffers of Congress family members are exempt from having to pay back student loans. This will get national attention if other news networks will broadcast it. When you add this to the below, just where will all of it stop?
35 States file lawsuit against the Federal Government
Governors of 35 states have filed suit against the Federal Government for imposing unlawful burdens upon them. It only takes 38 (of the 50) States to convene a Constitutional Convention.
This will take less than thirty seconds to read. If you agree, please pass it on.
This is an idea that we should address.
For too long we have been too complacent about the workings of Congress. Many citizens had no idea that members of Congress could retire with the same pay after only one term, that they specifically exempted themselves from many of the laws they have passed (such as being exempt from any fear of prosecution for sexual harassment) while ordinary citizens must live under those laws. The latest is to exempt themselves from the Healthcare Reform... in all of its forms. Somehow, that doesn't seem logical. We do not have an elite that is above the law. I truly don't care if they are Democrat, Republican, Independent or whatever. The self-serving must stop.
If each person that receives this will post it on their wall, in three days, most people in The United States of America will have the message.. This is one proposal that really should be passed around.
Proposed 28th Amendment to the United States Constitution: "Congress shall make no law that applies to the citizens of the United States that does not apply equally to the Senators and/or Representatives; and, Congress shall make no law that applies to the Senators and/or Representatives that does not apply equally to the citizens of the United States .."
Now, what are you going to do about it? Read and delete, or work for reform? Share on the wall of EVERY congressman, representative, governor, the white house!!!!! Pass it around!!! Make calls, send fax's and email's...
Just an FYI, I sent this to Pres. Obama, Mrs. Obama, Sen Warner, Sen Webb and VP Biden with my name on it, even though I didn't pen it...
Over, "Out", and still waiting from Portsmouth, VA USA
January 28, 2012
American Idol... One more Season...
One of the reasons I will watch American Idol again this season. Maybe JLo will come out with another one of these by the end of the year.. Randy? Steven? I don't see anything by you guys. Maybe Pitbull needs to be the next judge?
Over, "Out" and "On the Floor" here in Portsmouth, VA USA
ps: Loved the comments from yesterdays' post. My response would be the same as my newest favorite commenter "anne marie"...
January 27, 2012
January 17, 2012
Friend of Dorothy? Or Friend of Betty?
As you can see by the above, I choose the latter...
Happy 90th Birthday Betty White... I always had a thing for Mary Tyler Moore, then when you came along as the Happy Homemaker (aka the happy home-breaker) as Sue Ann Nivens you caught and earned my allegiance as to what a snarky, funny, quipy woman can be...
And then came the Golden Girls... What can I say?
Bless you as a "Friend of Betty"...
Over and "Out" from another day in Portsmouth, VA USA
