President Obama signed the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 over New Year's weekend while the nation was preoccupied with ringing in the New Year. Main stream media has largely ignored the blatant attack on the Constitution and the Civil Liberties of the American People. Both the House of Representatives and the Senate passed the bill nearly unanimously, the few politicians who voted against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 acted in the name of the people. The rest betrayed us for the sake of their corporate cronies...a lawsuit is in process to sue the United States of America: Worldwide Lawsuit Against the US Government
There is a short video and an informative description at the link, so, go, watch, read, follow the link, check it out.
The government has long had a practice of breaking into people's homes and stealing them in the middle of the night. NDAA codifies and legalizes government-sponsored kidnapping and indefinite detention of anyone anywhere in the world, including Americans on American soil! One word: UNCONSTITUTIONAL!!!!!!!!!!!!
From the website: Archives.gov Bill of Rights transcript
Amendment IV
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.
Amendment V
No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment VI
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defence.
Amendment VII
In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
Amendment VIII
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
Amendment IX
The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
17 March 2012
14 March 2012
Gay Rights are My Rights
To all my heterosexual friends and family members,
You know me and I know you. We've talked about politics, employment, family, the Past, education, religion, flatulence, vaginae, penises, breasts, taxes, gardening, natural disasters, life, love, happiness...we've talked about everything we could in the time we had. We've made each other laugh and cry. We've hugged one another and pushed each other away. We've had intense conversations where we absolutely did not agree yet we absolutely intended on hearing and speaking...we communicated deeply and we did not always agree. We've occasionally agreed so well it sounded like arguing. Many times we held these intense conversations to the microscope and came away in partial agreement, both gaining a better understanding from the experience. Both, certain we'd talk again, perhaps, each even hoped to win over the other. In some of the subjects we've covered such a hope is not an improbability, after all, a logical and sound argument is hard to refute and quite capable of converting a logical mind. In other subjects, neither of us have any hope, regardless of how logical or sound the argument. For this reason alone, I write you this letter.
I understand that there are certain subjects that we will never agree upon. And, I understand that the true mark of civility is the ability to remain civil while discussing said subjects. I can say with confidence we have remained civil in our discourses of touchy subjects and for that I applaud us all. However, I have a confession I feel obligated to release from the shackles of civility: when we talk about "gay rights" we are really talking about my fucking rights (or, should I say fucking lack thereof?). Now, I take that "fucking" in a number of ways: 1) [Monique's] fucking [civil] rights; 2) [Monique's] fucking [lesbian] rights; 3) [Monique's] fucking [constitutional] rights; 4) [Monique's] fucking [human] rights; etc. In the past we've talked about gay rights and you've expressed your opinion of gays and their rights. You've looked me in the eyes and told me to my face that you don't hate gays, in fact you have gay _____ [fill-in the blank (family, friends, neighbors, doctors)], but you don't agree with the "gay lifestyle", and you don't think gays should be able to _____ [fill-in the blank (marry, join the military, be clergy, teach, have children, inherit from their "spouse", live together in old age, show public affection, etc.)]. Do you think I was not civil when I heard you speak and held back my hand from slapping you for thinking I should not be allowed to marry, enlist, preach, teach, inherit from my wife, grow old with my wife, kiss my wife before she boards a plane? You were not speaking to me about the rights of some human being you would never have to face. You were facing me, speaking to me, a lesbian, a gay, when you told me that you didn't think I should have the same rights as you, the same rights we're both guaranteed in the Constitution. Well, we're both still standing here and I still haven't raised my hand to you, though a logical and sound argument exists, I'm attempting civility.
So, today, in my greatest attempt to remain civil, I beseech you: How dare you look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't hate me, but you don't think I should have rights? What bigger sign of hatred could another put forth than to attempt to strip a human being of their personhood? I am an American. I am a Lesbian. I am a Woman. These three things cannot be and will not be taken from me, regardless of your opinions on the subject. I have never told you that I think you are less of a person because you are heterosexual; you, however, have told me that you think I am less of a person because I am a homosexual. And, still we disagree. I am not less of a person, in fact, every law written about me and my kind only serves to verify that I am indeed a person, we are indeed people. Moreover, as a person born in the United States, I am a citizen, and I can tell you I am far beyond pissed off when it comes to the subject of me and my fucking rights. As a Woman, male politicians are attacking my rights to healthcare access. As a Lesbian, "heterosexual" politicians are attacking my rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As an American, politicians are attacking my right to speak out against these attacks. And, you my dear heterosexual friends and family, you look me in the face and tell me that my kind, "those gays", are getting what they deserve?
Even in the face of all this, we continue to have civil discourses. What is it about our relationship that allows this to occur? What is it about us that we can hold these incredibly different stances on my rights, yet maintain civility? How is it that you hold such unwavering opinions on something that only concerns you because you know me, meanwhile it negatively effects me? How can we be friends or family when you think people like me should have no rights, or worse, that we should die? Have you ever said, "I'd kill my kid, if it ended up gay"? You would kill me? You've never said such to my face? I ask you now: would you kill me because I am a lesbian? If you hesitate to answer, why do you hesitate? If you do not hesitate to answer, what is your answer? Yes? No? If yes, then the next time we meet why don't we skip the pleasantries of discourse and move right into the last course? If no, then next we meet may it be merry.
From here I am done talking. I'll no longer hold my tongue for the sake of civility, especially when it comes to my rights. If you read that sentence and wonder when I've held my tongue: I've held back far more than you can ever imagine. If you're still in doubt, you have only to wait, watch, and wonder.
You know me and I know you. We've talked about politics, employment, family, the Past, education, religion, flatulence, vaginae, penises, breasts, taxes, gardening, natural disasters, life, love, happiness...we've talked about everything we could in the time we had. We've made each other laugh and cry. We've hugged one another and pushed each other away. We've had intense conversations where we absolutely did not agree yet we absolutely intended on hearing and speaking...we communicated deeply and we did not always agree. We've occasionally agreed so well it sounded like arguing. Many times we held these intense conversations to the microscope and came away in partial agreement, both gaining a better understanding from the experience. Both, certain we'd talk again, perhaps, each even hoped to win over the other. In some of the subjects we've covered such a hope is not an improbability, after all, a logical and sound argument is hard to refute and quite capable of converting a logical mind. In other subjects, neither of us have any hope, regardless of how logical or sound the argument. For this reason alone, I write you this letter.
I understand that there are certain subjects that we will never agree upon. And, I understand that the true mark of civility is the ability to remain civil while discussing said subjects. I can say with confidence we have remained civil in our discourses of touchy subjects and for that I applaud us all. However, I have a confession I feel obligated to release from the shackles of civility: when we talk about "gay rights" we are really talking about my fucking rights (or, should I say fucking lack thereof?). Now, I take that "fucking" in a number of ways: 1) [Monique's] fucking [civil] rights; 2) [Monique's] fucking [lesbian] rights; 3) [Monique's] fucking [constitutional] rights; 4) [Monique's] fucking [human] rights; etc. In the past we've talked about gay rights and you've expressed your opinion of gays and their rights. You've looked me in the eyes and told me to my face that you don't hate gays, in fact you have gay _____ [fill-in the blank (family, friends, neighbors, doctors)], but you don't agree with the "gay lifestyle", and you don't think gays should be able to _____ [fill-in the blank (marry, join the military, be clergy, teach, have children, inherit from their "spouse", live together in old age, show public affection, etc.)]. Do you think I was not civil when I heard you speak and held back my hand from slapping you for thinking I should not be allowed to marry, enlist, preach, teach, inherit from my wife, grow old with my wife, kiss my wife before she boards a plane? You were not speaking to me about the rights of some human being you would never have to face. You were facing me, speaking to me, a lesbian, a gay, when you told me that you didn't think I should have the same rights as you, the same rights we're both guaranteed in the Constitution. Well, we're both still standing here and I still haven't raised my hand to you, though a logical and sound argument exists, I'm attempting civility.
So, today, in my greatest attempt to remain civil, I beseech you: How dare you look me in the eyes and tell me that you don't hate me, but you don't think I should have rights? What bigger sign of hatred could another put forth than to attempt to strip a human being of their personhood? I am an American. I am a Lesbian. I am a Woman. These three things cannot be and will not be taken from me, regardless of your opinions on the subject. I have never told you that I think you are less of a person because you are heterosexual; you, however, have told me that you think I am less of a person because I am a homosexual. And, still we disagree. I am not less of a person, in fact, every law written about me and my kind only serves to verify that I am indeed a person, we are indeed people. Moreover, as a person born in the United States, I am a citizen, and I can tell you I am far beyond pissed off when it comes to the subject of me and my fucking rights. As a Woman, male politicians are attacking my rights to healthcare access. As a Lesbian, "heterosexual" politicians are attacking my rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. As an American, politicians are attacking my right to speak out against these attacks. And, you my dear heterosexual friends and family, you look me in the face and tell me that my kind, "those gays", are getting what they deserve?
Even in the face of all this, we continue to have civil discourses. What is it about our relationship that allows this to occur? What is it about us that we can hold these incredibly different stances on my rights, yet maintain civility? How is it that you hold such unwavering opinions on something that only concerns you because you know me, meanwhile it negatively effects me? How can we be friends or family when you think people like me should have no rights, or worse, that we should die? Have you ever said, "I'd kill my kid, if it ended up gay"? You would kill me? You've never said such to my face? I ask you now: would you kill me because I am a lesbian? If you hesitate to answer, why do you hesitate? If you do not hesitate to answer, what is your answer? Yes? No? If yes, then the next time we meet why don't we skip the pleasantries of discourse and move right into the last course? If no, then next we meet may it be merry.
From here I am done talking. I'll no longer hold my tongue for the sake of civility, especially when it comes to my rights. If you read that sentence and wonder when I've held my tongue: I've held back far more than you can ever imagine. If you're still in doubt, you have only to wait, watch, and wonder.
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