09 December 2011

More on Jim Burke

ezs note:  This morning we attended the funeral of Jim Burke III. It was after a night of little rest, my thoughts being with this kind man, whose death was much too soon... much too soon.

I recently read an article in The Cenacle, where Jim wrote an article opposing the death penalty.  I was quite impressed with it.

As it turns out, Jim's thirtieth letter also turned out to be his last.  Because of the very kind permission of Ray Soulard, I have excerpted a portion of Jim's letter.

Peace and love, Jim.

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Finally, the death penalty is not, I repeat is not, a deterrent.  The very fact that murders in this country occur on a daily basis proves  that use of the death penalty is based on the revenge motive, and this also depends on the time and place of the crime and the trial.  The execution of citizens  by the states in this country is used to cover up the failure of our society as a whole to educate people equally and give all people to better themselves.  When hopelessness and despair set in, the recidivism rate of prisoners increases correspondingly, from the upper to the middle to the lower socio-economic strata.  Figures from the U.S.  Department of Justice have confirmed this data as recently as 2009.  The politicians in this country, as well as the Supreme Court, have become embarrassed and frustrated about their inability to stop the violence and so-called capital crimes.  Their solution has been to put the convicted to death as cleanly as they think is possible, by lethal injection in most cases.

I hope I live to see the day when our culture will transcend revenge, and rise above hate.  Peace and love for all humanity would enable us to realize our potential, which is God-like.  John Lennon had it right after all. IMAGINE!

JBIII

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To see more of The Cenacle, please see http://www.scriptorpress.com

04 December 2011

Peace

I offer you peace. I offer you love. I offer you friendship. I see your beauty. I hear your need. I feel your feelings. My wisdom flows from the Highest Source. I salute that Source in you. Let us work together for unity and love.

Mahatma Gandhi

Cyndi Lauper and more celebs come together for the 'Home For The Holidays' benefit concert (www.ontheredcarpet.com)

*more above*

Massachusetts signs law prohibiting gender identity discrimination (www.lexology.com)

*more above*

ezs note: This article may seem a wee bit old, but please read it anyway.  There is more detail here than in other places.

03 December 2011

Royal Oak, Michigan

Credit: April Segedi

Hello!

Ah, yes... Christmas songs, over and over and over (sigh)... here's what happened this week... Royal Oak, Michigan... London, England, UK... Wesley Chapel, Florida... San Ramon, California... Rochester, New York... Groningen, Netherlands... McArthur, Ohio... Orinda, California... Columbia, South Carolina... Trenton, New Jersey... New Haven, Connecticut... Nottingham, England, UK... Kings Park, New York... Yerseke, Zeeland, Netherlands... Izmir, Turkey... La Plata, Maryland... Atlanta, Georgia... Branford, Connecticut... Brooklyn, New York... Tulsa, Oklahoma... Madison, Alabama... Albuquerque, New Mexico... Council Bluffs,Iowa... West Hartford, Connecticut... Spotsylvania, Virginia... Charleston, Illinois...

This month's top dog: LGBTQ discussions

Aw, just kiddin' about the Christmas songs... they're great, really!  (Well, there is one song...)  There is one way you can feel a whole lot better... give to those less fortunate!

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

Happy happy!

Troy mayor Janice Daniels under fire for anti-gay marriage slur (ontopmag.com)

*more above*

Khloe Kardashian sued by transgender for assault (www.ibtimes.com)

*more above*

01 December 2011

Lambda Legal to federal court: grant asylum to trans woman living with HIV/AIDS (/www.windycitymediagroup.com)

*more above*

Russia 'gay propaganda' law slammed by LGBT film festival group in new clip (www.huffingtonpost.com)

*more above*

Transgendered man wins right to a marital divorce (www.huffingtonpost.com)


International transgender days commemorates and celebrates (www.thelamron.com)

*more above*

World AIDS day events on Central Coast (www.kionrightnow.com)

*more above*

Transgender character grounds the New Theatre Project (www.pridesource.com)

*more above*

Anti-bullying workshop held at LAMP (www.insidetoronto.com {Canada})

*more above*

2011- a queer review (www.thevitalvoice.com)

*more above*

Court appears ready to hand legal victory to transgender woman (www.ajc.com)

*more above*

ezs note:  Yay!


26 November 2011

Groningen, Netherlands

Credit: Eric Kieboom

Hello!

It's a balmy 60 degrees out!  (Fahrenheit)  Well, whadda you want?  Here's what happened... Groningen, Netherlands... Dallas, Texas... Gilroy, California... West Hartford, Connecticut... Toongabbie, New South  Wales, Australia... Atlanta, Georgia... Bacolod, Philippines... Petaling Jaya, Wilayah Persekutuan, Malaysia.... Erie, Pennsylvania... Niagara Falls, Ontario... Crewe, Cheshire, England, UK... Kings Park, New York... Woodland Hills, California... Evanston, Illinois... Brossard, Quebec, Canada... Los Angeles, California... Boston, Massachusetts... Council Bluffs, Iowa... Mountain View, California... Herndon, Virginia... Baumholder, Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany... Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India... Bangalore, Karnataka, India... Albuquerque, New Mexico... Ridgefield Park, New Jersey... Redmond, Washington... Miami, Florida... Waterbury, Connecticut...

This month's top dog:  SDSU-IV to hold first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender flag raising ceremony

Be certain that a pal o' mine really says ho, ho, ho!  Be generous to those less fortunate...

American Red Cross
www.redcross.org

International Red Cross/Red Crescent
www.ifrc.org

Doctors Without Borders
www.doctorswithoutborders.org

Rainbow Fund
www.rainbowfund.org

Thank you! 

Transgendered and homeless, youth struggles to build a life (www.nytimes.com)

*more above*

ezs note:  Normally, I let things stand as they are, but this one takes the cake.  You have a choice: shoot a rocket to Mars - for 2.5 billion dollars - to get a few scrapings off the surface - or get decent housing, clothing, dental care, and food for those most in need.

It's your choice.