First Door on the Left

This week’s “This Modern World” makes a lot of sense. Think about it…

(Click to enlarge.)

Happy Holidays!
 

Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal both took to the airwaves today to announce that they are not interested in running for president in 2012.

On a related note, I would like to take this opportunity to advise the New England Patriots that I am not interested in the quarterback position.
 

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi add their voices to the “It Gets Better” campaign…

President Obama’s “It Gets Better” video:

Transcript:

Like all of you, I was shocked and saddened by the deaths of several young people who were bullied and taunted for being gay, and who ultimately took their own lives. As a parent of two daughters, it breaks my heart. It’s something that just shouldn’t happen in this country.

We’ve got to dispel the myth that bullying is just a normal rite of passage – that it’s some inevitable part of growing up. It’s not. We have an obligation to ensure that our schools are safe for all of our kids. And to every young person out there you need to know that if you’re in trouble, there are caring adults who can help.

I don’t know what it’s like to be picked on for being gay. But I do know what it’s like to grow up feeling that sometimes you don’t belong. It’s tough. And for a lot of kids, the sense of being alone or apart – I know can just wear on you. And when you’re teased or bullied, it can seem like somehow you brought it on yourself – for being different, or for not fitting in with everybody else.

But what I want to say is this. You are not alone. You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn’t do anything to deserve being bullied. And there is a whole world waiting for you, filled with possibilities. There are people out there who love you and care about you just the way you are. And so, if you ever feel like because of bullying, because of what people are saying, that you’re getting down on yourself, you’ve got to make sure to reach out to people you trust. Whether it’s your parents, teachers, folks that you know care about you just the way you are. You’ve got to reach out to them, don’t feel like you’re in this by yourself.

The other thing you need to know is, things will get better. And more than that, with time you’re going to see that your differences are a source of pride and a source of strength. You’ll look back on the struggles you’ve faced with compassion and wisdom. And that’s not just going to serve you, but it will help you get involved and make this country a better place.

It will mean that you’ll be more likely to help fight discrimination – not just against LGBT Americans, but discrimination in all its forms. It means you’ll be more likely to understand personally and deeply why it’s so important that as adults we set an example in our own lives and that we treat everybody with respect. That we are able to see the world through other people’s eyes and stand in their shoes – that we never lose sight of what binds us together.

As a nation we’re founded on the belief that all of us are equal and each of us deserves the freedom to pursue our own version of happiness; to make the most of our talents; to speak our minds; to not fit in; most of all, to be true to ourselves. That’s the freedom that enriches all of us. That’s what America is all about. And every day, it gets better.

In case you missed it, skipped over it or haven’t had the chance to see it yet…

The story as reported by The Fort Worth Star-Telegram follows…

Fort Worth councilman offers hope to youths struggling with their sexuality

FORT WORTH — Just hold on. It really does get better.

That’s the message Fort Worth City Councilman Joel Burns shared in an emotional speech during Tuesday night’s council meeting, saying his goal was to reach out to youths everywhere who are struggling with being gay.

During a moving speech, Burns said it tears him up each time he hears about youths taking their own lives somewhere in America after being bullied because of their sexuality or simply struggling with it.

Burns, who is gay, said he’d like to give his 13-year-old self — who also struggled with being gay — glimpses into the future.

His younger version would see him meeting his partner, being loved by his parents, winning a City Council election, Burns said.

“High school was difficult, coming out was painful,” he said. “I want to tell any teen who is watching this, life will get better. … Life will get so, so, so much better.”

Burns’ sometimes tearful comments drew praise from his fellow council members.

“So very proud of my friend and colleague Joel Burns for his stance against bullying of gay youth and those perceived to be gay,” Councilwoman Kathleen Hicks wrote on Facebook during the meeting. “I am sure he saved many tonight.”

Councilman Sal Espino echoed Hicks’ thoughts.

“Burns displayed tremendous personal courage today in speaking out against bullying against youth and children particularly gay youth in light of the recent tragedies,” he also posted on Facebook. “Fort Worth is a diverse community and we believe that all of God’s children should be treated with dignity, compassion, and love.”

Happy 234th birthday, United States of America. Has it really been 234 years already? Seems like only yesterday you were just turning 200.

A little Independence Day quiz: 1) Name the country from whom the United States declared independence 234 years ago; 2) Name the original thirteen states represented by the stars of this flag; and 3) Name the person who designed this flag. (No fair googling or binging.)

If you got all three, congratulations! You are smarter than the average American.

P.S. Please celebrate responsibly. Try not to fondle too many soldiers.
 

It is now time for all good Americans to buy a gun. At least all good Americans that do not wish to be shot to death by other good Americans. Kill or be killed…

Supreme Court limits local gun bans

The Supreme Court ruled Monday that the Constitution’s “right to keep and bear arms” applies nationwide as a restraint on the ability of the federal, state and local governments to substantially limit its reach.

By a 5-4 vote split along familiar ideological lines, the nation’s highest court extended its landmark 2008 ruling that individual Americans have a constitutional right to own guns to all the cities and states for the first time.

In doing so, the justices signaled that less severe restrictions could survive legal challenges. The ruling involved a 28-year-old handgun ban in the Chicago area.

The ruling was a victory for four Chicago-area residents, two gun rights groups and the politically powerful National Rifle Association.

It was a defeat for Chicago, which defended its ban as a reasonable exercise of local power to protect public safety. The law and a similar handgun ban in suburban Oak Park, Ill., were the nation’s most restrictive gun control measures.

Monday’s decision did not explicitly strike down the Chicago area laws, ordering a federal appeals court to reconsider its ruling. It left little doubt, however, that they would fall eventually.

Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the court, said the Second Amendment right “applies equally to the federal government and the states.”

It is interesting that federal law trumps state law when it comes to gun ownership, but the reverse is true when it comes to such a fundamental right as getting married.
 

It seems that anything (or anyone) can be bought…

Rush Limbaugh Weds for 4th Time, and Elton John Sings

Talk about an odd couple: conservative radio commentator Rush Limbaugh and outspoken gay-marriage advocate Elton John.

But, according to a News Corporation (which owns Fox News) wire report, the Rocket Man, 63, serenaded the 400 guests Saturday night to celebrate the marriage of Limbaugh, 59, to Kathryn Rogers, 33, in the Ponce de Leon ballroom of Florida’s fabled Breakers hotel in Palm Beach. Sir Elton’s fee: $1 million, the report notes.

So the going price for a person’s soul these days is a million bucks. Good to know.

The article linked to and quoted from above goes on to list some of the other guests present:

…former Bush adviser Karl Rove; actor-politician Fred Thompson; former Kansas City Royals slugger George Brett; Fox News commentator Sean Hannity; former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; New England Patriots owner Bob Kraft; former Clinton adviser James Carville and his wife, GOP analyst Mary Matalin; and golfer Tom Watson. A wedding guest also tells PEOPLE that among the others was Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas.

Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas? Really? I’m actually surprised that Roberts, Scalia and Alito were not also on the guest list.
 

It seems that today is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, so Happy Earth Day.

Do something nice for Earth today… like try to get your plastic water bottle actually inside the trash bin when you throw it away.

Thanks.

Friends don’t let friends talk (or, worse yet, text) and drive.

If the call is really that important, pull over to the side of the road. Please.