Steve’s Weblog
Mass. House votes to let out-of-state gays marry
By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer 37 minutes ago
BOSTON – The Massachusetts House voted Tuesday to repeal a 1913 law that had been used to block gay marriages involving out-of-state couples, all but assuring that the state will allow same-sex couples to wed regardless of where they live.
The 118-35 vote came after the state Senate approved the repeal earlier this month, and Gov. Deval Patrick has said he will sign the bill.
I would normally have posted here anyway about the need to oppose California Proposition 8, but I received a note from a friend of mine this morning that I felt I should share because it really comes from the heart, and shows how this decision will have an impact on people we know and care about.
Subject:Fw: Please dream with me
My dear friends
Sometime this year, I will be submitting the application to be an American citizen. That’s paperwork. In my heart, I am already an American. After all, this is a land that rewards those who dare to dream. As a young man some ten years ago, I arrived in America with hope and aspirations. I didn’t know then that a little hope and a leap of faith would fuel a journey that was peppered with open doors, friends, loved ones and opportunities that confirmed the belief that I could be anybody I desire to be. Today I continue to dream and I hope you will join me.
I don’t usually discuss my personal life. Today however, I am hoping that those of you who care for me know that as a gay man, it is very important to me that the constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage be defeated in November. There is something very wrong when society decides to legislate against love. I can’t vote yet, so I am asking those of you who can to preserve the American values and vote against bigotry and discrimination.
Vote NO on Prop 8 in the California Ballot this November
Please also join me in donating to the Equality for All campaign
I don’t know that many voters in California that I can send a note to directly, and maybe not all that many people will read this post either, but the implications of the outcome of the vote on this initiative are national in scope and it’s a big deal in the fight for equality nationwide. Please join me in donating to the Equality for All campaign
https://secure.ga4.org/01/equalityforall
Equality for All is leading the campaign to defeat a November ballot measure, proposition 8, that is trying to change the California Constitution to prohibit marriage for gay and lesbian couples.
Prop 8 is a grave threat and defeating it will be the most important campaign we have ever seen to preserve equality under the law for all Californians. We need to do all we can to stop it. Please sign up today with Equality for All to get more news and information about this campaign and how to help.
With an emphasis on GREEN:
The green tech edition of ‘what I did on my summer vacation’ at ZDNet
Thursday July 17, 5:47 pm ET
By Jordan Robertson, AP Technology Writer
IBM 2Q profit jumps 22 percent, blows past Wall Street estimates
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — IBM Corp.’s second-quarter profit leaped 22 percent, blowing past Wall Street estimates as the technology company’s bread-and-butter services division continued to thrive despite economic malaise in the U.S.
By JIM VERTUNO, Associated Press Writer
Thu Jul 17, 1:17 PM ET
AUSTIN, Texas – Texas officials gave preliminary approval Thursday to the nation’s largest wind-power project, a plan to build billions of dollars worth of new transmission lines to bring wind energy from gusty West Texas to urban areas.
AP via Yahoo News
This seems like it should be pretty obvious elevator etiquette. Reminds me of the T operators in Boston shouting at passengers trying to board to “Let them off before boarding!“. The principle is the same really, a small space (elevator, subway car) crowded with people needs to be emptied into a much larger space (building, subway station) before it can be occupied by you. Got it? 
AFA says that their boycott is about McDonald’s, as a corporation, refusing to remain neutral in the culture wars.
So, McDonald’s and everyone else (Ford, Disney) should be neutral while AFA continues it’s baseless, extremist, rabidly anti-gay campaign against equality for GLBT people at the hands of Don Wildmon?
See also:
Pam’s House Blend
Joe My God
Washington Post
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