About that Van Jones’ speech…

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Remember when I warned you last week that serial anti-equality campaigner Richard Ziser is threatening Nevada LGBT families again, this time considering a ballot initiative to strip away our hard fought domestic partner rights won with SB 283? Well, the threat is real. We now know.

However, there’s a way we can stop it before it really starts. We can help our friends and family in Washington state Approve Referendum 71 so that we send a message to the forces of bigotry out West that we won’t allow any more of their H8!

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Yes, Maine really is close.

Yes on 1: 48%
No on 1: 46%
Not Sure: 6%

Despite the recent attacks on LGBT Mainers, No on 1 is still within a striking distance of victory. However, it will obviously take a lot of work to overcome this deficit and finish out on top. The Yes on 1 anti-equality campaign is already starting the “scare campaign”, and we need to be ready to fight back and win.

This is where Travel for Change steps in.

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

If this doesn’t inspire you, I don’t know what will.

Yes, I know this is Maine. But remember, this can happen anywhere. It happened here in Nevada. It happened in California. It happened in Oregon. It happened in Arizona. It’s happened in states all over the place, but now we have a chance to turn the tide in Maine.

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

It’s sad enough that feminist and labor activist Crystal Lee Sutton has just passed away. But now, it’s even sadder to learn why she’s gone.

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Have you seen the new blatantly false Yes on 1 ad?

Oh OK, that wasn’t really it. But seriously, Jackie Beat would have SO MUCH FUN spoofing the real one! Yes, it’s really that lame.

(Also at Nevada Progressive)

Flowery language: A

I’ll admit it. He still speaks well, with complete sentences actually. Nice.

Refuting attacks: A-

He finally called a lie a lie. Good on him. It may not stop the Republicans from lying some more, but maybe there’s a chance that crap like “DEATH PANELS!!!!!” and “GOVERNMENT TAKEOVER!!!!!!” stop gaining traction.

Policy: C+

Yes, he finally said “public option”… But then caved some by remaining “open” to co-op craps and never-to-be-enforced “triggers”. And worse, he called on Congressional Democrats to be ready to cave in as well. I hope they ignore those sentences from him. And hopefully, Obama himself isn’t all that serious in selling out his progressive base AND the chance for real health care reform for a few feel-good “we’ll say there’s no more preexisting condition discrimination, but let the HMOs continue to do whatever they want” thirty pieces of silver.

(Proudly cross-posted at OC Progressive & My Silver State)

New Orleans may sink into the sea by 2100. Much of Florida may also be underwater by then. Drought will likely become the norm out West, meaning California could no longer provide the food we depend upon. Las Vegas may become downright inhabitable.

No, I’m not fabricating any of this. These will be the consequences of inaction if we continue to delay implementing the solutions we need to solve the coming climate crisis. But for some reason, may of our supposedly wise lawmakers in Capitol Hill are either willfully ignorant of the facts or downright lying about our future.

Seriously, we can’t allow any more of this.

I had so many questions before last weekend. And honestly, I still don’t know exactly what lies ahead. However, I had many of my questions answered as I saw a glimpse of hope rising after the storm.

And yes, believe it or not, my questions were answered in Fresno!

(Proudly cross-posted at C4O Democrats and OC Progressive)

OK, so today’s Mothers’ Day. I’m planning to stop by my mom’s house shortly and check up on her. But before I do that, I must address this:

President Barack Obama’s national security adviser says allowing gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military is in the early discussions.

But retired Marine Gen. James Jones says it’s very preliminary in a very busy administration.

Jones said Sunday he’s not sure if the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy would be overturned, although Obama has said he wants it eliminated. Jones said the decision to go forward lies with the president.

For now, Jones says, “We have a lot on our plate right now.”

Mr. Jones, President Obama, and members of Congress, you just allowed this fine patriotic soldier to be fired. And believe it or not, we’ve already lost too many thousands of good soldiers simply because they’re queer. Now’s the time to lift the military service ban. Seriously.