4 posts tagged “california”

Federal judge taking long look at Prop. 8

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article...

(06-30) 19:00 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- A federal judge said Tuesday he's inclined to leave California's ban on same-sex marriage in effect for now, but wants an early trial to determine whether the voter-approved prohibition violates the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of equality.

Unlike the last attempt to knock down Prop. 8, this one looks promising--and since it's happening at the federal level, the results could be massive.  Basically, the defense will need to prove that there is a real and substantial reason to deny gays and lesbians the right to marry.  This will most likely include an attempt to show concrete damage to the foundation of male-female weddings, coupled with arguments that a child is best raised by one man and one woman.  If this can't be done, and done solidly and conclusively, then the judges will announce that the law exists only as a tool for one group of people to discriminate against another group, and is therefore unconstitutional and thus invalid.

Attorney for the defense Brian Raum has already gone on record as saying he doesn't see the need for a trial, as Prop. 8 doesn't prohibit gays and lesbians from marrying--provided that they marry someone of the opposite sex.  Yeah, things are looking up.

Reporters Without Borders creates list of 13 countries with dire need for more internet freedom.  Seventeen thousand participants voted Myanmar and China the two greatest oppressors of internet freedom.  The event's goals were to draw attention to censorship and personal rights issues around the world, and to persuade the offending countries to loosen existing policy.  The event was considered a success and may be repeated next year.

Stem cell tests on mice may lead to a cancer vaccine.  Other stem cell tests restored sight to blind mice.

Baby deposit box coming to Japan.  Called a "stork's cradle" by Jikei Hospital, the plan is to build a flap in the outside wall of the hospital where unwanted babies can be left for adoption in a criblike area.  Similar "baby hatch" areas are already in use in Germany.

Conspiracy to kill electric cars.  Had the ZEV mandate not been defeated, there would be over a million electric cars in California today.

Denial-of-service attacks illegal in U.K.  Poorly-worded legislature had previously left the attacks in a "grey area."

New York hearing on "jumbo" ambulances Tuesday.  The bariatric ambulances cost an extra $50,000 each, but would pay for themselves in the long run.  The ambulances would also be very useful in large-scale emergency situations.

New nail makes houses twice as resistant to earthquakes and hurricanes.  But it will raise the cost of building your home by about fifteen bucks.  Is it worth it?  Watch the presentation and decide.

ACLU defends Colorado University student.  A satirical self-published newsletter has resulted in CU sending a student a series of threatening letters.  The Boulder chapter of the ACLU says a college has no legal right to censor the content of a student's self-published newsletter.

Some women allergic to semen.  Alleries to latex, spermicides etc. can mask or confuse the problem.

Canadian performance art: Haircuts by Children.  Children aged ten to twelve were entrusted with scissors and allowed to give free haircuts in several Toronto hair salons and at Harbourfront Centre's Milk International Children's Festival of the Arts.  Haircuts by Children invites the consideration of children as creative and competent individuals whose aesthetic choices can be trusted.

Meatcake week ends.  Don't worry, you can still make a meatcake if you like.  Inspirational photos of this year's meatcakes await you here and here and here.

Guns N' Roses role models for today's youth.  After being told that drinking alcohol onstage violates Maine's state laws, the band canceled their Portland, Maine show.  After standing up for what they believed in, Axl Rose issued an apology to their Maine fans through his band's web site, and a band spokesperson blamed fire marshals for "making it impossible for the band to perform their show to the usual high standards that their fans deserve."

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What's your favorite radio station, past or present?

It used to be KDHX in St. Louis, which was the local community radio station.  Back in the late '80s and early '90s, they used to have a weekly program called "The Todd Sampler," which was usually on Thursday afternoons (but they moved it around a lot, of course).  He focused on techno/dance music and new-wave pop/rock, but most anything good worked its way in.  He eventually got a paying gig in California and moved away.  Nothing new happened at first, but slowly over the next few years, every good program at KDHX got axed, and they moved towards a news and talk format.  Nothing good ever replaced it, and radio remains a desolate cultural wasteland in over 98% of the country.

The good news is, I seem to have found a list of recommended music by Todd on Amazon.  The bad news is, I can't find any other news about Todd (I could've sworn he went by Todd Loggins back in the day, but now he's calling himself Todd Robertson, or hippiedj).  If he's gotten his own radio program in California, no one there cares about it.

I miss you, Todd.  You made my whole head sparkle.

Entire universe belongs to United States.  George Bush vows to take any action deemed necessary to prevent movement into space by any people or nations considered hostile to U.S. national interests.

Millions of GLBT elderly in U.S., largely unsupported.  There are three million GLBT people aged 65 or older in the United States right now; there will be four million by 2030.  They are blocked from receiving Social Security, health insurance or pension benefits from their partners.  One in five has no health insurance at all.  Many live in total isolation; many more have no family to turn to for support.  Since they often find themselves discriminated against by service providers when they are "out," many are driven back into the closet, just to receive near-equal treatment.  There are only a few local agencies in urban areas of New York, California and Florida which help elderly GLBT seniors.

George Michael smokes joint on TV, acts like total dumbass.  Thanks a lot, George.

New York eatery creates batter-dipped, deep-fried pizza.  Yes, it'll kill you, but you'll die happy.

Buttered microwave popcorn obliterates your lungs.  We knew this already, right?  Those fumes linger for hours.  Government agencies totally ignoring all danger, playing pass the buck, staying strangely tight-lipped on the matter despite massive evidence of life-threatening danger.