Alabama has long been known for its interesting politics. The most recent chapter in its rich history has to do with beer.
It seems that Senate has been trying to pass a bill to raise the alcohol cap on beer from 6% to 13.9% but have been faced with a filibuster. Senator Hank Erwin, a devout Baptist who had been working to block the bill, stepped out for a bathroom break. While he was out, the Senate rushed passage of the bill.
Just another day in Alabama politics.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday, April 03, 2009
We Are Not Guantanamo
"They laughed. 'We are not Guantanamo.' That's what they said," Park said.
Two young women reporters for the news channel Current have disappeared while working on stories in North Korea. Both women, Laura Ling and Euna Lee are American citizens. However, there have been no statement forthcoming from our government asking for their release or demanding to know what charges they are being held on. And when asked by Han S. Park, a University of Georgia professor and member of a private delegation traveling in Korea, if the the Americans were receiving harsh treatment, the Koreans responded by laughing and saying, "We are not Guantanamo."
During the years of the Bush presidency when the prison at Guantanamo was founded and populated by suspected foreign terrorists, many Americans couldn't understand why some of us would think this was not a good thing. Now they have their answer. If the U.S. doesn't hold itself to a higher standard than the rest of the world, then they will hold us to their standards. We can no longer take the high road and demand that our citizens be treated as human beings, that if they are held they must be charged with a crime, or that if they are held and charged, then they cannot be tortured. See, the U.S. has spent the last seven years holding prisoners with charging them. We have tortured them with things such as waterboarding. We have suspended treating prisoners as humans by withholding holy books from them and by subjecting them to humiliation.
The image of the U.S. has been tarnished in the rest of the world. As a result, the available options for obtaining freedom for these two young ladies who are American citizens have been severely reduced. It will take years to repair the damage done by the establishment of Guantanamo. In the future, America has an obligation to its own citizens to treat all citizens of the world with the same respect that we treat our own.
Two young women reporters for the news channel Current have disappeared while working on stories in North Korea. Both women, Laura Ling and Euna Lee are American citizens. However, there have been no statement forthcoming from our government asking for their release or demanding to know what charges they are being held on. And when asked by Han S. Park, a University of Georgia professor and member of a private delegation traveling in Korea, if the the Americans were receiving harsh treatment, the Koreans responded by laughing and saying, "We are not Guantanamo."
During the years of the Bush presidency when the prison at Guantanamo was founded and populated by suspected foreign terrorists, many Americans couldn't understand why some of us would think this was not a good thing. Now they have their answer. If the U.S. doesn't hold itself to a higher standard than the rest of the world, then they will hold us to their standards. We can no longer take the high road and demand that our citizens be treated as human beings, that if they are held they must be charged with a crime, or that if they are held and charged, then they cannot be tortured. See, the U.S. has spent the last seven years holding prisoners with charging them. We have tortured them with things such as waterboarding. We have suspended treating prisoners as humans by withholding holy books from them and by subjecting them to humiliation.
The image of the U.S. has been tarnished in the rest of the world. As a result, the available options for obtaining freedom for these two young ladies who are American citizens have been severely reduced. It will take years to repair the damage done by the establishment of Guantanamo. In the future, America has an obligation to its own citizens to treat all citizens of the world with the same respect that we treat our own.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Vermont Governor will Veto Marriage Bill
To update my post earlier this week, Vermont Governor James Douglas, a Republican, has announced that if the marriage bill passes and makes it to his desk, he will veto the same-sex marriage bill now before the Vermont House. Although the Vermont Senate passed the bill with a 26-4 majority, at this point, it is not clear whether there is enough support in the Vermont House to over ride the veto.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Big Day for Marriage
Lot's of people think that just because Prop 8 passes in California that nothing new is happening on the marriage front. That couldn't be further from the truth. Small steps are being taken every day in the quest for equality.
Today, Senator Schumer of New York came out in favor of same-sex marriage and for the repeal of DOMA. Senator Schumer is the last state-wide elected official of that state to take a stand for equality. This is a big step for the senator, who was one of those voting for DOMA years ago when it became law. In it's statement to the NY Daily News, Senator Schumer's office said,
Also in the news today, the Vermont senate voted 26-4 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage for the state. The issue will now move to committee in the house before being presented for a full vote. With a majority of Democrats in the House, the measure is expected to pass. However, there is still uncertainty around whether or not the Republican Governor Jim Douglas will sign the bill if it is passed. Vermont was the first state to legalize civil-unions back in 2000.
Today, Senator Schumer of New York came out in favor of same-sex marriage and for the repeal of DOMA. Senator Schumer is the last state-wide elected official of that state to take a stand for equality. This is a big step for the senator, who was one of those voting for DOMA years ago when it became law. In it's statement to the NY Daily News, Senator Schumer's office said,
"It’s time. Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it. New York, which has always been at the forefront on issues of equality, is appropriately poised to take a lead on this issue."
Also in the news today, the Vermont senate voted 26-4 in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage for the state. The issue will now move to committee in the house before being presented for a full vote. With a majority of Democrats in the House, the measure is expected to pass. However, there is still uncertainty around whether or not the Republican Governor Jim Douglas will sign the bill if it is passed. Vermont was the first state to legalize civil-unions back in 2000.
Saturday, March 21, 2009
City of Characters
New York City is home to a diverse and rich population. Each person has his own story. The New York Times is chronicling some of these stories through a series of narrated slide shows. It's worth the few minutes a week to learn a little about a person you'll never meet and maybe understand where someone else is coming from. Take a look at One in 8 Million. You may come away with a new perspective on things.
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