The GOP - "THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO SHUT THAT WHOLE THING DOWN"

"THE FEMALE BODY HAS WAYS TO SHUT THAT WHOLE THING DOWN" 

This is what Todd Akin had to say the other day.

Akin, Missouri Republican candidate for the US Senate, was speaking about what he termed "legitimate rape" but I suspect, this is more likely to be the female voter approach to the GOP in 2012.

See: Akin Controversy Stirs Up Abortion Issue in Campaign - NYTimes.com











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MARRIAGE EQUALITY - VOTE FOR #6 ON NOV. 6

To support Marriage Equality, vote YES on Question Six.

On August 20, 2012 The Maryland State Board of Elections assigned a number to the Marriage Equality Referendum and issued the ballot language.

The Marriage Equality Referendum is QUESTION 6 on the Nov 6, 2012 Ballot.

Question Six reads:

Civil Marriage Protection Act

Establishes that Maryland’s civil marriage laws allow gay and lesbian couples to obtain a civil marriage license, provided they are not otherwise prohibited from marrying; protects clergy from having to perform any particular marriage ceremony in violation of their religious beliefs; affirms that each religious faith has exclusive control over its own theological doctrine regarding who may marry within that faith; and provides that religious organizations and certain related entities are not required to provide goods, services, or benefits to an individual related to the celebration or promotion of marriage in violation of their religious beliefs.

To support Marriage equality, vote YES on Question Six.

"For All the Children" - Support Marriage Equality

Catholics and friends gathered to sing their hearts out in support of LGBTQ young people. 

Lay Catholic Christians are standing up and singing out to spread the good news of Christ's love. 

To download the beautiful song, composed by David Lohman, please go to welcomesongmusic.com

SOURCE:

For All the Children...Vote NO in November in Minnesota - YouTube

YOU DECIDE - SHOULD AN ARMY GENERAL BE WELCOME IN MARYLAND - WITH HER SPOUSE?

During a promotion ceremony, August 11, 2012, at Arlington National Cemetery, a proud wife placed a star insignia on her spouse's uniformed shoulder — the official mark of an Army brigadier general. 

The placing of the star insignia was preceded by this announcement: “Col. Smith's partner, Miss Tracey Hepner.”

The audience burst into applause.

Brig. Gen. Tammy Smith now wears the star insignia on her uniform - pinned there by her spouse. 

General Tammy Smith is the first openly gay general in the United States Army.

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta posted a YouTube video thanking gay service members and praising the ban’s repeal. 

In June, 2012 the Pentagon hosted a Gay Pride Month event. 

In July, 2012 members of the military wore their uniforms during a San Diego gay pride parade.

For more: With promotion, U.S. Army welcomes first openly gay general - latimes.com

THE ANCIENT, CATHOLIC IDEA OF "THE COMMON GOOD"

"What's distinctive about Catholics and politics is our ancient idea of the common good. We measure that by how the working class and poorest among us are doing."

"Government, for us Catholics, is obliged to be caring. It's obliged to serve and to help build the country as whole. President Obama 'gets' this at a deep level."

So said Stephen Schneck, director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies at Catholic University of America.

Schneck has joined a number of other prominent Catholics as national co-chairs for "Catholics for Obama"

The complete list:

Former State Rep. Polly Baca, Colorado

Ambassador Elizabeth Frawley Bagley, Washington, D.C. 

Rep. Xavier Becerra, California 

Nicholas Cafardi, Pennsylvania 

Former Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, Pennsylvania 

Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, Connecticut 

Sen. Dick Durbin, Illinois 

Miguel Foster, Michigan 

Thomas Groome, Massachusetts 

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, Ohio 

Victoria Reggie Kennedy, Massachusetts 

Victoria Kovari, Michigan 

Sr. Jamie Phelps,  Louisiana 

Gov. Martin O'Malley, Maryland 

Former Rep. James Oberstar,  Minnesota 

Lawrence Parks, Washington, D.C. 

Fred Rotondaro, Washington, D.C. 

Rep. Tim Ryan, Ohio 

Stephen Schneck, Washington, D.C. 

John Sweeney, Maryland 

Mark Tuohey, Washington, D.C.

SOURCE:

Obama campaign unveils its 'Catholics for Obama' 2012 team | National Catholic Reporter

British Catholic Leaders Support Marriage Equality Legislation

The Times of London on August 13, 2012, published a letter from prominent Catholics, who support civl marriaige equality:

“Not all Catholics share their hierarchy’s stated views against proposals to extend civil marriage to same-sex couples. Nevertheless, the submission by the Catholic Bishops of England & Wales to the Government’s equal civil marriage consultation indicates a growing understanding about legislating for same-sex unions, compared with its 2003 position, when it firmly opposed civil partnerships.

“It seems to us, as Catholic laity, theologians and clergy, important to uphold some key pastoral care principles used by the Catholic Church in England & Wales. Its 1979 guidelines stated that the Church has a serious responsibility to work towards the elimination of any injustices perpetrated on homosexuals by society.

“In 1997 Cardinal Hume wrote that love between two persons, whether of the same sex, or of a different sex, is to be treasured and respected. This respect demands that such loving relationships be afforded social recognition according to social justice principles.

"He proposed three criteria for considering issues of social policy: 

• are there reasonable grounds for judging that the institution of marriage and the family could, and would be undermined by a change in law? 
• would society’s rejection of a proposed change be more harmful to the common good than the acceptance of such a change? 
• does a person’s sexual orientation or activity constitute, in specific circumstances, a sufficient reason for treating that person in any way differently from other citizens?

"We suggest that it is perfectly proper for Catholics, using fully informed consciences, to support the legal extension of civil marriage to same-sex couples."

The signers of this letter include: James Alison (theologian & priest), Tina Beattie (theologian), Mary Grey (theologian), Bernard Lynch (priest), Martin Pendergast (Chair, Centre for the Study of Christianity & Sexuality).

SOURCE:

British Catholic Leaders Support Marriage Equality Legislation « Bondings 2.0

Polls Show "Catholics Lead the Way on Same Sex marriage"

“Nearly six-in-ten white non-Hispanic Catholics (59%) favor allowing gays and lesbians to marry, as do 57% of Hispanic Catholics.” 

These are among the findings of a poll conducted by the Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life and the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press.

The poll was summarized and explained in a statement from the Pew Research Center:

"[T]here has been a rise in support for gay marriage across many demographic groups, even those who have traditionally been the most opposed."

"A large portion of the growth in acceptance of gay marriage over the past two decades is the result of generational replacement — the arrival of younger, more supportive generations making up a larger share of the population. But the pace of change in support for gay marriage has increased in recent years across generational lines."

Source:
Pew Forum: Steep Rise in Support for Gay Marriage

The Washington Post, July 31, 2012:
Pew poll shows rising support for gay marriage

The Washington Post, March 21, 2012:
Catholics lead the way on same-sex marriage