Einstein on War

Einstein had some very specific belief's and thoughts about war...here are some of them:

"He who joyfully marches to music rank and file, has already earned my contempt. He has been given a large brain by mistake, since for him the spinal cord would surely suffice. This disgrace to civilization should be done away with at once. Heroism at command, how violently I hate all this, how despicable and ignoble war is; I would rather be torn to shreds than be a part of so base an action. It is my conviction that killing under the cloak of war is no different than murder."

"You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war."

"I am not only a pacifist but a militant pacifist. I am willing to fight for peace. Nothing will end war unless the people themselves refuse to go to war."

Read more about Einstein and his peaceful philosophy

Who’s better for gays and lesbians: Barack or Hillary?

The two front-runners for the democratic nomination for president have a lot in common. Neither Hillary Clinton nor Barack Obama support gay marriage, but both say they are for civil unions and repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Both support adding sexual orientation and gender identity to federal hate crimes laws and each back the Employment Non-Discrimination Act.

Yet, even though both are supportive of some gay and lesbian issues, neither seems to be a real champion of our causes. Kathy Belge, from About.com spoke with Anne Stockwell, editor of The Advocate magazine, which has a cover story on Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama this month. The Advocate is one of the most respected gay and lesbian publications and Anne is an expert on gay and lesbian political issues.

FE>>(She like probably most of us) wanted to know why both candidates are squeamish on gay and lesbian issues. “Let’s not say squeamish, let’s say cautious,” Anne replied. And they’re cautious with good reason. Look what happened to John Kerry when he mentioned Dick Cheney’s lesbian daughter Mary Cheney and that she probably thought being gay wasn’t a choice. The Cheney’s were pissed and so was most of America.

“Somehow or another Mary Cheney’s parents greeted that as an insult,” Anne says. “That’s insane. We all know what it’s like to deal with someone homophobic.”

Yes, we do. But do we lower our standard of living to ward off the homophobes? Do we not still fight for equal treatment, full rights, just because some televangelists and right wing politicians think we’re immoral?

As gays and lesbians, we need to ask ourselves. Do we give our votes to candidates who half-heartedly support us, or do we demand to be treated and accepted as the complete and whole human beings that we are?

Do We Deserve More?

Cruise here to read the rest of what imo was a really good interview. One that addressed some sure to come up uneasiness with many people in the very near future. Primarily the fact that neither candidate has said that they do not believe that homosexuality is immoral. Stockwell at this point believes it is necessary that we keep the fire on and respectively expect that they openly speak their positions. Personally, I do not know why they wouldn't unless of course, they do think it is immoral. Seems to me they'd extend their reach considerably by saying what they mean, and meaning what they say if they do not believe that being gay is immoral.

Stay informed on the issues:

• Civil Unions vs Gay Marriage
• Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
• Federal Hate Crimes Law
• Barack Obama on Gay and Lesbian Issues.
• Hillary Clinton on Gay and Lesbian Issues.

Props For This Commentary!

4/13/2007

The Best “Imus” Response Yet.

Posted by: Michael (from Gay Orbit)

You definitely need to watch this.

This morning I had the privilege of not only seeing this delightful picture but watching & listening to Bush (who I might add was mentioned to be the most "Vacationing President" that we have ever had) demonstrate just how easy it is in this day and age, within our own government to be such a freakin hypocrite and seemingly be allowed to get away with it! How is this possible!?! I am quickly reminded of the mess and embarrassment the Republicans made regarding Clinton and how there were so many that felt it was so important to air our dirty laundry publicly & call Clinton out while he was President in front of the world in an effort to impeach him for essentially, engaging in what was nothing more than a politicalization of what should have been imo a private matter between he and his family. As Bush stood there whining about the Democrats vacation's getting in the way of him getting his soldiers and our family members what they need...as if!%#!?! Well Mr. Bush, perhaps if you'd done the job you snatched rather then the job we all expected you to do, you wouldn't be in such a predicament. Now we face what seems to be a horribly volatile situation burning in Iran, Iraq is a mess and we are more hated then ever. Seems to me that right now, it is our President's politico el' fear based crapio policy that is shall we say, lowering our property values as a country. It will take years if not decades and perhaps the lives of many of our children to repair the nasty reputation which he has so gifted us the American people with. Hate breeds Hate. Bottom line. I believe Mr. Bush has overtly proved this fact already - and, he has also demonstrated ever so eloquently just what it means when one says do I say and not as I do. These are probably two of the best things Bush has actually done in office. Perhaps Bush's seemingly blatant disregard for the regular American will all this country to finally once again get a President that this country really needs. It so maddens me that I hear no talk what so ever about hearings or potential impeachments. How is what Clinton did and for that matter, Nixon even worse than leading a country to war and being responsible for so many lies, torture, human rights violation & needless deaths? I just do not understand in the least and I certainly will be putting my future votes into the hands of folks who work 4 peace/democracy in ways that actually manifest it! Here's the lovely photo that spawned my madness this morning. I hope you are pissed off and you write, question, talk and share this with everyone you can. I'd say it's about time we the people stopped behaving in what seems to be the equivalent of "I've fallen and I can't get up" and start marching to "power to the people." or something more akin to "Revolution!" I believe it was Abby Hoffman who said; The system will collapse under it's own weight, all it needs is a few kicks in the ass!" Hoping you are enjoy your afternoon. Please do what you can to make sure you are getting to Drop Some of Your Knowledge throughout the blogosphere because if ever there was a time of need for the people to be heard, and for the people...all of us to really understand I would say this has got to be it. Be sure to take 5min or so when you and visit our friends at the www.droppingknowledge.org website. They offer a brilliantly done website full of user initiated multi-dimensional dynamic interfaces with which to engage ones mind. I am fascinated & educated every time I visit. Even in those moments that I have had only 10 minutes to swing through it has so been worth it! With the world shrinking (scientist's recently logged their one millionth living species into their database) it seems to me it's essential that we all...GET WORLD-WISE! That we make regular efforts to stay informed on a global level, that we make efforts to connect and explore as individuals with the rest of the world, that we encourage others to do so and to we regularly educate ourselves on evolving culture (including our own!). Make no mistake we are all evolving every little minute of every little day with every little molecule in our body. Sadly it seems we in this country have fallen deeply behind many others in the world in many ways. The last time I was at dropping knowledge some one had asked a question about who was the next to be the number one country when it came to Human Rights because as soon as Bush does away with Habeas Corpus (and no doubt this war has impacted this perspective) which he has already started the process to do....we here in the US will no longer be able to say that we are. I find this sad and scary at the same time. If you are interested in finding out who is trying to stop the President from trashing this right, go HERE. My point I guess is just that ultimately the more one knows, the more one grows and www.droppingknowledge.org is brilliantly done in a way that it fosters these opportunities, almost seamlessly. If you really want a treat be sure to start with or check out if you haven't, their "Visual Browse." That is some cool programming. Really gives you a sense to the deep layers associated with or times and the current state if affairs in the world. There is a lot of passion, many questions and even some great answers for some of the most important questions that could be asked in our lifetime. You can see it from every question, every answer.... I just can't speak highly enough about it. So if you haven't checked it out yet, please do! If you have, please be sure to wander back through. We need your voice for this Democracy to get back to work! Cheers, Friendly Earthling

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