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After suicides, Mormon leader rants against gays


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Human Rights Campaign

 


The recent suicides of several gay teenagers have made national headlines. Yet this is the moment – of all moments – that a top Mormon leader decides to broadcast a verbal rampage against gays to millions of viewers.

I couldn’t believe it either. Boyd K. Packer, the second-highest leader in the Mormon Church, said in a sermon broadcast to millions last Sunday that same-sex attraction is “impure and unnatural” and can be overcome, and that same-sex unions are morally wrong.

Do we need more proof than the suicides of teens as young as 13 that words like these can do unimaginable damage?

We cannot stay silent. By speaking out together, we can show the Mormon Church hierarchy that it has literally risked the lives of children by inciting their tormentors. And we can ensure that the young people who heard this sermon know that it is scientifically wrong and profoundly misguided.

Speaking before 20,000 people and broadcasting to millions more, Packer said same-sex unions are morally wrong and “against God’s law and nature” – and that the church hierarchy would continue to support marriage bans like Proposition 8 (which was funded largely by Mormons).

It makes me physically sick to think how many young lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender kids had to sit in those pews and listen to that venom.

Comments like these are exactly what makes young LGBT kids think there’s no way out but suicide – that their parents will reject them, that their communities will shun them, and that living openly will bring pain or violence – that even God looks on their very identity as a sin to be “overcome.”

And these lies fuel the bullying, harassment, and violence that plague our schools.

Packer’s lies have been disproven over and over again by science and by the spiritual experience of Americans who know their LGBT neighbors and care about them. We know sexual orientation cannot and should not be changed and that two people falling in love is beautiful, not evil.

But unless we refute these lies whenever groups like the anti-LGBT National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and the Mormon Church repeat them – whether through letters like this or projects like HRC‘s www.NOMexposed.com – we risk another young person hearing them and believing that LGBT people are “defective.” And that belief contributes to violence and suicide.

Americans are sick of the Mormon hierarchy trying to dictate what they should believe. They know commitment and love when they see it. That’s why they are turning away in droves from limitations on their friends’ and neighbors’ freedom to marry.

Thank you for helping take a stand for the truth.

Sincerely,

Joe Solmonese
Joe Solmonese
President

TGIF ….&some News


My rant …sorry for the mis info this morn … the 60million dollar issue is addressed in an article on the blog …read it

Today we are not just talking about class war but the Republican Tea party has been able to stir up public dissent and obviously if given the opportunity will:  put Corporations ahead of the people  ,continue race baiting, using fear and hate to make points to win in November and it is starting to get under my skin. I know that this same crap happened when folks were debating how competent Palin was and if you were watching “the Media” played her as the spoiler ready to go. It was upsetting that so many had that same tingle going up their leg but with all the noise coming from so many places common sense prevailed. The question is will people come to their senses before making their final decision on Nov.2nd or will we get played and succumb to repeal, replace, and an elimination of what America is. Will someone tell me what happened to our democracy that people would much rather vote for a looney tunes then those who truly have the people, the country in mind before profits and purity ideology….

When will Republican constituents finally get tired of do as we say not as we do mentally?

This morning while on the bus, I  picked up on a possible shady move by Republican Governor Christie that should show all of us one of several reasons  why we should not trust Republicans and why our economy has yet to improve. The money already spent and jobs lost from possibly killing the Hudson Tunnel project is an act that is reprehensible. The actions from  Governor Christie plus major Corporations who seemingly are the ones who create jobs …are clearly holding out, outsourcing and refusing to be apart of the economic solution.  They have quickly become an even bigger problem now that we are 2weeks away from the mid-term elections and if there is such a thing as fair and balanced all those who have dumped, solicited and took foreign money will be found out and be subjected to the rule of law. The Supreme Court, specifically Justice Roberts and the law he helped to enact which put Corporations on the same playing field as an individual seriously needs vetting.  To continue …Since we only have a couple of weeks left before the mid-term elections the rants probably will be about the crap being said done or the videos being made by the Republican Tea Party that are questionable at best silly though not funny and offensive and racially moved. When i registered to vote it was to be a democrat, there was no question because my parents made it clear exactly which side of the aisle Republicans stand and why. It was clear then and now it has become  even more apparent in this year of 2010 it is an American duty to vote for politicians that work for the greater good…People need to ask themselves what qualities are needed to do the peoples business not just a select few but for All Americans. The vote on November 2nd will be a vote for a Congress that will do more research before forcing a pre-emptive strike and going into war. someone open to new science…like stem-cell research, admitting that there are enough gays in congress and other parts of the political arena that the laws need to be changed, someone willing to say that women and men should be paid the same and change it, admit that minorities are not represented on all levels and change it , who have not lost  compassion for others and are willing to stand up and speak out for the middle and lower class. The things we are going through are all non-partisan realities… we are living in a different world…one that requires us to come together and decide as a human race, not as democrats or republicans; at least that is what the American public use to think but after losing power to the Democratic Party in 2008 and having the first African-American President the Republican Tea Party has decided to go not just extreme but use discrimination as a threat to all those who are non-white i guess because I personally cannot think of anything else they can use. The mid-term elections were called the year of the woman, Republican Tea Party crazy women that is and got to say as a woman they not only offend me just exactly how Sarah Palin did back in 2008 with strange comments. It is offensive and apparently folks on the right of center would rather have the crazies in power and while the comments are outlandish and those of us with common sense say wow that is crazy but feel, no one could take this stuff too crazy. The fact is something ugly is going on out there and it is stirring up people to vote for a different party right in the middle of a recession just because the corrections have not happened yet. It is sad that folks think for even one moment that years of financial deregulation, Wall Street bets, and outsourcing would only take 2yrs to fix but when people actually start to believe that the Republican Party has more knowledge or trust to get us back on track we all have to wonder if people have lost their minds. I have to say -WTF because the house of Bush took office with a surplus and the end of his 2nd term he gave up his power with America just about ready to fall of the edge of a ditch. It is clear that folks just do not get that it will take time to fix our economy and right now if you are even paying attention the trickle down that Republicans talk about just ain’t happenin it didn’t then and it isn’t now … people need to understand that Corporations are holding back their funds until they get their way and who is suffering because of this -All Americans not just the democratic side of the issues. I cannot tell anyone how upsetting that states continue to lay off Teachers,firefighters, emts and the police …

What information do constituents of the Republican Tea party need …what will happen if they shut down the govt- what will happen to your family if they do repeal everything and more importantly what will your neighborhood look like when the chaos reaches your town.
im just sayin

“It is important to bear in mind that political campaigns are designed by the same people who sell toothpaste and cars.” — Noam Chomsky.

Other News …

**A NJ Gov killed the Hudson Tunnel project…after a visit from sec of transportation and has stated he will reconsider

**Gov Charlie Christie axes 60million dollars in projects

**a 6.4 earthquake in AK with several large aftershocks

**Cnn’s ed rollins says the hicky ad was an independent expenditure-the viewer/voter does not know, care or understand how that is suppose to explain away that stupid ad

**Paris decides to permanently ban burqa’s

**Tweetforpeace

**James Jones will step down as Nat’l sec adviser Donilon likely to replace him

**Facts: …95thousand govt jobs were lost -64thousand Private Sector jobs gained …unemployment is 9.6 for most …question is why are stocks doing so well, banks won’t lend, corporations outsourcing not being considered part of the problem

**Extortion …Cali Police have told JerryBrown that they have decided to hold their votes or will give their votes to Meg Whitman unless he changes his policy concerning their pensions

**Tennessee – Titanic Museum

**BankofAmerica and PNC have decided to put a moratorium on home foreclosures

**Tonite NYC Emmy Awards

**Cali…Knottsberry Farm -RollerCoaster accident

**Judge upholds President Obama’s HCR law

**Hurricane Otto forms in the Atlantic

CSPAN …

Supreme Court Oral Argument Snyder v. Phelps Supreme Court Oral Argument Snyder v. Phelps
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NPC Address by Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan NPC Address by Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan
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Pres. Obama Remarks on Monthly Jobs Numbers Pres. Obama Remarks on Monthly Jobs Numbers
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Pres. Obama Remarks on NSA James Jones Resignation Pres. Obama Remarks on NSA James Jones Resignation
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Georgetown Law Symposium on Justice John Paul Stevens Georgetown Law Symposium on Justice John Paul Stevens
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Pres. Obama Signs 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010 Pres. Obama Signs 21st Century Communications & Video Accessibility Act of 2010
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Defense Dept. Briefing with Sec. Gates & South Korean Defense Minister Defense Dept. Briefing with Sec. Gates & South Korean Defense Minister
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Common Sense Media Press Conference on Online Privacy Common Sense Media Press Conference on Online Privacy
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Supreme Court Group Photo Supreme Court Group Photo
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Federal Trade Commission Stops 60 Million Dollar Tax Relief Scam


 

An FTC complaint filed against a company for misrepresenting tax relief services to customers has resulted in a temporary restraining order and the organization’s assets being frozen.

Called American Tax Relief LLC, the company used TV and radio commercials, as well as Internet advertising to claim that for a fee it can settle people’s state and federal tax debts.

To trick consumers it abused the name of a real IRS program, that allows people to pay less than what they owe, but which only applies in very limited circumstances.

The IRS is currently accepting a fraction of back taxes owed to them (sic) for those who qualify.

The IRS is allowing the people with delinquent tax liabilities a ONE-TIME opportunity to settle the debt ONCE AND FOR ALL.

But at the same time, the IRS does not advertise, promote or even voluntarily suggest this program,” one of the company’s ads claimed.

People were instructed to call a toll-free hotline, where after a few questions, they were told that they qualify for either the “Offer in Compromise” program or a “penalty abatement.”

The FTC says the company charged between $3,200 to $25,000 to resolve allegedly people’s tax problems, when in fact they couldn’t do it.

According to the IRS, a penalty abatement is only considered when there are very serious reasons to justify late payments, such as natural disasters, severe injury or death.

Also, the “Offer in Compromise” program is only available to people as a last resort and after extensive background checks have been performed to determine that no other payment option remains.

In April 2010, federal agents executed a criminal search warrant at the company’s Beverly Hills office and seized funds from an account, as well as a Ferrari from one its owners.

The complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division, and names American Tax Relief LLC, Alexander Seung Hahn, Joo Hyun Park, and his parents Young Soon Park and Il Kon Park, as defendants.

Metropolitan Improvement District Elert for October 9th


—-SEATTLE, WA —-

1.   Permits have been issued for Saturday October 9th , 2010 to the  “March against war in Afghanistan.”  Participants will rally at Westlake Park and at approximately 2:00 PM march on the following route:

  • West on Pine Street to First Avenue
  • South on First Avenue to Yesler Way
  • East on Yesler Way to Dilling Way
  • East on Dilling Way to 4th Avenue
  • North on 4th Avenue back to Westlake Park

The estimated number of participants could be up to 300. Be advised of traffic disruptions while marchers pass by.

Seattle police will monitor the march and rally.

*************************************************************************************

2.   Permits have been issued for Sunday October 10th, 2010 to the “2010 Double Tenth Parade Celebration.”  Participants will gather at Hing Hay Park and at approximately 1:00 PM the parade will begin on the following route:

  • East on King Street to 8th Avenue
  • South on 8th Avenue to Weller Street
  • West on Weller Street to 6th Avenue
  • North on 6th Avenue to King Street
  • East on King Street back to Hing Hay Park

Estimated number of participants could be up to 200. Be advised of traffic disruptions while marchers pass by.

Seattle police will monitor the Parade.

 

Urgent Update: GOP’s Deceptive Ads and Expanding their Ad Buy


 

Rapid Reponse

 

Breaking: Republicans expand ad buys into seven additional districts bringing the total to over 60 races.

With just 24 hours to go before our ad buy deadline, news reports broke yesterday that the Republicans’ campaign attack squad has expanded their advertising blitz.

The claims in Republican ads have already been debunked by the Pulitzer Prize winning PolitiFact. Yet, they now have the resources to EXPAND their false attacks into more districts. It’s Rove-style dirty politics at its worst.

It’s up to us to set the record straight but we have to go all-in before tomorrow’s deadline hits.

We have just 24 hours left before our deadline to wire more money for ads but we’re still $72,179 short.

Please contribute $5, $10 or more to our Rapid Response Ad Fund today and your gift will be matched dollar-for-dollar by a group of committed Democrats.

We can stop them — we have done it before. But I need you to help us stand up to their smears.

Onward to Victory,

Jon Vogel
Jon Vogel
DCCC Executive Director

P.S. We have set up a Tip Box to report abusive or deceptive robocalls, mailers, or internet scams/rumors. If you see this kind of widespread abuse in your district, you should send a message to our Tip Box by emailing at dccc@dccc.org. Please contribute to our Rapid Response Ad Fund now so we can continue to keep fighting back.