OBAMA - "SAME SEX COUPLES SHOULD BE ABLE TO GET MARRIED"

Once Joe Biden made his announcement, I did not think Barack Obama would be far behind.  I doubt that Obama will lose votes because of the announcement.  The great majority of the folks who will be upset, would not have voted for the president anyway.  

 “I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors, when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together; when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married,” Obama told Roberts in an interview to appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" Thursday.

ABOUT THE VOTE IN NORTH CAROLINA

I'll let David@Montreal speak for me about the heartbreaking vote in North Carolina in favor of a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

beloved Giants

this morning I'd ask for something equivalent to a group hug for all the folks we know and love in North Carolina.

these folks have been heroic in their witness; and in many cases their stand for justice, sanity and full inclusion has cost them- personally.

tired and discouraged perhaps, I urge them to take the time they need for self-care

but to also remember whatever the figures, they are so much further along the arc of history this morning than they were a week ago.

hearts have been changed, voices have found themselves speaking out and some incredible and unexpected allies have come forward.

but these folks are also our siblings in the Body of Christ, so I'd urge you to carry them in your hearts in the coming days. North Carolina is not over!

love always-always Love

Amen.

UPDATE: A statement from the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina, the Rt. Rev. Michael B. Curry, following the passage of a constitutional amendment, called Amendment One. Find a transcript of this statement, and other related resources, online at the diocesan website.
 



H/T to Torey Lightcap at The Lead.

ASBO JESUS - THINKING PERSON

Click on the cartoon for the larger view.

From ASBO Jesus.

'PORCELAIN UNICORN' - A FINE SHORT FILM

Legendary British film director Sir Ridley Scott launched a global film making contest for aspiring directors. It's titled "Tell It Your Way". There were over 600 entries. The film could be no longer than three minutes, contain only 6 lines of narrative & be a compelling story. The winner was "Porcelain Unicorn" from American director Keegan Wilcox. It's a story of the lifetimes of two people who are totally opposite, yet, very much the same - all told in less than 3 minutes. I can see why it won - enjoy!

Beautiful work, indeed.  Congratulations to Keegan Wilcox

From Harold Davis at the Television and Motion Picture Network.

Thanks to Doug.

FROM THE RUBBLE OF YOUR PAST

Your past, whatever it is, will provide the firm foundation for your life. Even if there’s rubble, the rubble will be reformed into an edifice far stronger and more beautiful than you could have ever imagined.

-Br. Curtis Almquist
Society of Saint John the Evangelist

Bro John Anthony posted in St. Cuthbert's Cottage

FRED ASTAIRE - 'PUTTIN' ON THE RITZ

The man can dance; the man can sing.  What more do you want?

'THE PEOPLE'S BISHOP'

From Chris Hedges at OpEdNews:

Retired Episcopal Bishop George Packard was arrested in Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza in New York City on Tuesday night as he participated in the May 1 Occupy demonstrations. He and 15 other military veterans were taken into custody after they linked arms to hold the plaza against a police attempt to clear it. There were protesters behind them who, perhaps because of confusion, perhaps because of miscommunication or perhaps they were unwilling to risk arrest, melted into the urban landscape. But those in the thin line from Veterans for Peace, of which the bishop is a member, stood their ground. They were handcuffed, herded into a paddy wagon and taken to jail.

That veterans were arrested simply for their presence in a place dedicated to the memory of those who served in the military is an outrage about which few seem to take note or care.  Shame on you, Mayor Bloomberg, for your directions for general heavy-handed treatment of the Occupiers, but double shame on you for dishonoring the veterans by removing them by force from their plaza.  Yes, the buck stops with you.

Hedges on George Packard:

 Packard's moral and intellectual courage stands in stark contrast with the timidity of nearly all clergy and congregants in all of our major religious institutions. Religious leaders, in churches, synagogues and mosques, at best voice pious and empty platitudes about justice or carry out nominal acts of charity aimed at those bearing the weight of resistance in the streets. And Packard's arrests serve as a reminder of the price that we -- especially those who claim to be informed by the message of the Christian Gospel -- must be willing to pay to defy the destruction visited on us all by the corporate state. He is one of the few clergy members who dare to bear a genuine Christian witness in an age that cries out in anguish for moral guidance.

Sigh....  Too true.

And read George's horrifying descriptions of his service in Vietnam.

Vietnam is now the forgotten war, lost in the mists of recent history from which we took no good lessons.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Photo from George's album on Facebook.

MCCAIN TO MITT

John McCain this morning on choosing his candidate for vice-president in 2008:

“The absolute, most important aspect is, if something happened to him, would that person be well qualified to take that place?” said McCain.  “I happen to believe that was the primary factor in my decision in 2008.  And I know it will be Mitt’s.”

And McCain did not choke on the words.

H/T to Charles Pierce.

STORY OF THE DAY - DEEPEST DESIRES

Wish for your deepest desires, she said 
& when I asked if they'd come true, she 
said they always do, so you might as well 
get them out in the open while you're 
still young enough to correct any serious 
mistakes.

From StoryPeople.

PLEASE PRAY...

Please remember the parish community of St Peter's at Ellicott Mills and the families and friends of Rev. Dr. Mary-Marguerie Kohn and Brenda Brewington, the two women who were shot by a mentally-disturbed homeless man. From David@Montreal:

beloved Giants:

I'd ask your prayers for dear brother Paul's Jannita who begins chemo today, and for Gwendolyn's Jim who is to be prepped for  radiotheraphy on the newly-discovered cancer in his brain.

prayers for justice for the Lakota man who while undergoing surgery was also violated by some sick individual who carved initials of hate on his chest at leave it lay where Jesus flang it. prayers for all those who cry out for justice please. prayers for the two wonderful priests (margaret & Joel) who serve this man.

prayers for a transformative outcome to the vote in North Carolina today. and speaking of transformative opportunities, prayers for the people of France and Greece: that they not abandon their inter-connectivity with the rest of creation and they try with their new governments to 'save themselves.'

prayers for the people Syria, for the people of Darfur, for the healing of Charles Taylor's victims.

prayers for the people who live in the shadow of the Mexican-American border, and those who sacrifice their lives there.

prayers for John Andrews and B.C.'s discernment. for all those in discernment. prayers for those needing a way forward. prayers for all those gathered up in Bishop Steven's powerful prayer/blessing today.

birthday blessings for Jane whose day it is.

thank-you beloved Giants

love always- always Love

Thank you.

Thanks to Paul the BB for the picture at the head of the post