Steve’s Weblog

Constitutional Law Professors Reject Arguments Made by California Proposition 8 Proponents

By Frank D. Russo

In a rare joint statement, 59 distinguished law professors from 14 different California law schools have signed a strong and detailed document agreeing that arguments made by the campaign in support of California Proposition 8 are false under California law and the United States Constitution. In so doing, they have added their voices to a growing chorus of educators, newspapers and other experts who say the Prop 8 campaign has been deceptive and misleading.

In short, these legal scholars conclude:

• Prop 8 clearly discriminates against gay men and lesbians.
• Prop 8 would have no effect on the tax exemptions of churches.
• Prop 8 would have no effect on teaching or the protection of parental rights already provided by state law.

From: California Progress Report

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But it’s important for people to understand that the California Supreme Court essentially said that the equal protection clause of that state’s constitution protects gays and lesbians, including the right to marry.

What this proposition does, it actually amends the state constitution to take gays and lesbians out of the equal protection clause. That’s why people are so up in arms about it. It — it would be the first time you would actually amend the constitution to take rights away from people.

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Proposition 8 is a California ballot measure that would eliminate the right to marry for same-sex couples. The California Constitution should guarantee the same freedoms and rights to everyone. No one group should be singled out to be treated differently. Please vote NO on Prop 8 on November 4.

Check out the hot news item at apple.com.

No on Prop 8
October 24, 2008

Apple is publicly opposing Proposition 8 and making a donation of $100,000 to the No on 8 campaign. Apple was among the first California companies to offer equal rights and benefits to our employees’ same-sex partners, and we strongly believe that a person’s fundamental rights — including the right to marry — should not be affected by their sexual orientation. Apple views this as a civil rights issue, rather than just a political issue, and is therefore speaking out publicly against Proposition 8.

h/t ThinkProgress

A vulnerability in the Snoopy library was announced today. WordPress 2.6.3 was released to address the vulnerability and is available for download right now.

http://wordpress.org/development/2008/10/wordpress-263/

Threatening Letters Spark New Prop 8 Controversy

Last Updated:
10-23-08 at 5:29PM

A threatening letter has sparked a new controversy here in San Diego surrounding the gay marriage debate. Donors who gave money to the No on Prop 8 campaign say they received blackmail letters demanding money, and the Yes on 8 campaign now says the letters were sent by their employees.

The letter from Yes on 8 came by certified mail, demanding at least $10,000. Jim Abbot knows exactly why he’s being targeted – his business gave $10,000 to a group called Equality California, which supports No on Prop 9.

Jim says nearly 25 percent of his staff is gay.

“We wanted to support their freedom to marry,” he said.

The letter says if Jim doesn’t give an equal donation to Yes on 8, the name of his company will be published. It reads in part, “It is only fair for Proposition 8 supporters to know which companies and organizations oppose traditional marriage.

“I feel like it’s blackmail, and as you can imagine, real estate business has been tough lately and to have someone come at you like this… it’s very distressing,” he said.

Yes on 8 confirms they sent around 30 companies the letter.

Story from KFMB-TV

h/t Pam’s House Blend

From dunkindonuts.com:

The world’s favorite coffee and baked goods chain opens first LEED certified restaurant in Florida, prototype for future green stores

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (October 17, 2008) – Dunkin’ Donuts, America’s all-day, everyday stop for coffee and baked goods, is celebrating the grand opening of its first “green” store today. The St. Petersburg, Florida restaurant is Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified and includes other “green” initiatives such as innovative recycling programs like worm casting and food donations to the local food bank. Dunkin’ Donuts President & Chief Brand Officer Will Kussell will join St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Baker, the United States Green Business Council (USGBC), and the St. Petersburg Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the store opening by planting a tree on-site, located at the corner of 4th Street North and 76th Avenue North.

This is really close to home, and one of the reasons why the bumper stickers are on the older cars and the magnet is on the new car… you can take the magnet off when traveling into questionably Red parts of Texas.

Update: Apparently the vandalism isn’t limited to the Democratic side as Robbie at UrbanGrounds reports that his truck was keyed. Regardless of your politics, there’s no reason to trash someone else’s car or truck. And as Robbie suggests, it’s probably a good idea to take all the stickers or magnets off the car after the election, (paraphrasing) unlike the folks I see driving around Austin with their W04 bumper stickers still attached.

These photos are of vandalism done to the car of a friend of mine (also a friend of this blog) last night in Hays County, Texas. The only photo-shopping I have done was to obscure her license plate number.

On the eve of early voting, an Obama supporter’s car was vandalized in rurual western Hays County, Texas. The Obama bumper sticker was torn off, a 20-lb rock was put through the back window, two Obama yard signs were shoved through the hole in the rear window and “Obama” was badly spray-painted in orange along the drivers side door.

From now until the end of the month, every day is Election Day in Texas.

Early voting is fast, easy, and it could make the difference in this state. Show your friends and family that you’ve made up your mind and you’re ready for change now.

Take the first step today. Find your Early Vote location.

Early voting is simple, safe, and convenient.

Obama ‘08 – Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

h/t Julia

Information on Coming Out from HRC.

By MATT APUZZO, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 25 minutes ago

ANCHORAGE, Alaska – Sarah Palin unlawfully abused her power as governor by trying to have her former brother-in-law fired as a state trooper, the chief investigator of an Alaska legislative panel concluded Friday. The politically charged inquiry imperiled her reputation as a reformer on John McCain’s Republican ticket.

Investigator Stephen Branchflower, in a report by a bipartisan panel that investigated the matter, found Palin in violation of a state ethics law that prohibits public officials from using their office for personal gain.

The inquiry looked into her dismissal of Public Safety Commissioner Walter Monegan, who said he lost his job because he resisted pressure to fire a state trooper involved in a bitter divorce with the governor’s sister. Palin says Monegan was fired as part of a legitimate budget dispute.

The report found that Palin let the family grudge influence her decision-making even if it was not the sole reason Monegan was dismissed. “I feel vindicated,” Monegan said. “It sounds like they’ve validated my belief and opinions. And that tells me I’m not totally out in left field.”

Branchflower said Palin violated a statute of the Alaska Executive Branch Ethics Act.

2 minutes ago

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut’s Supreme Court has ruled that same-sex couples have the right to marry, making that state the third behind Massachusetts and California to legalize such unions.

The court agreed with the plaintiffs, who said the state’s marriage law discriminates against them because it applies only to heterosexual couples, therefore denying gay couples the financial, social and emotional benefits of marriage.

Yahoo News

This November, Californians will vote on Prop 8, a ban on marriage for same sex couples in California. Prop 8 “eliminates the right of same sex couples to marry”.

The polls are showing that we may lose this once in a life time chance to make gay marriage permanently legal in California. Whether you live in California or not, eliminating gay marriage will be a huge step backward for the entire country. Please join me in turning the tide and donate or volunteer to the VOTE NO Campaign. We are way behind in fund raising and our opponent’s relentless assaults on the airwaves are gaining momentum. Let’s make a difference while we still can. Register to vote NO on Prop 8. Let’s make history and say NO to the hate campaign.

Nobody should tell anyone if they can marry. Do not allow them to write discrimination into our constitution.

Donate, Volunteer and Vote (Registered Californian)!

Pledge to vote No on Prop 8:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/NoOnProp8

http://pride.barackobama.com/pridevideo

Check it out, you can print off Palin bingo cards, or make up your own! They’re sure to be a hit at your local VP debate watching party tonight.