Where We Are As A Country

It is now considered normal and thoughtful and generally okay for a longtime, respected senator to hope that an American citizen under arrest was not read his rights as an American citizen. That actually scores points for you among significant sectors of our country. What's next? John McCain saying it would be a “serious mistake” if police got a warrant for his arrest? Or it would be a "serious mistake" if they police followed any rules at all in apprehending him? Would that score points for him, too?

This has been another edition of Where We Are As A Country.

"They're Coming to Your Town"

Gay bashing in broad daylight.

Residents of the small Arkansas town of Eureka Springs noticed the homosexual community was growing. But they felt no threat. They went about their business as usual. Then, one day, they woke up to discover that their beloved Eureka Springs, a community which was known far and wide as a center for Christian entertainment--had changed. The City Council had been taken over by a small group of homosexual activists.

The Eureka Springs they knew is gone. It is now a national hub for homosexuals. Eureka Springs is becoming the San Francisco of Arkansas. The story of how this happened is told in the new AFA DVD “They’re Coming To Your Town.”

My first reaction to this: If every single adult involved in the making of that DVD were dropped off a very tall building I would cheer like a Bills fan as I watched them fall and hit the pavement, and I would then compose and sing songs about the glorious event that was their deaths.

My next reaction is much more loving and humane, I'm very happy to say, but I just wanted my initial rection on the record.

Keystone Homophobe Guarding Federal Building

A woman was told to leave an L.A. federal building yesterday because she had a "lesbian.com" T-shirt on.

Lapriss Gilbert said she was picking up a Social Security card for her son when the guard was offended by her "lesbian.com" shirt and threatened her with arrest.

The private contractor guarding your federal buildings: Paragon Security.

Things That Are Unconstitutional for $600, Alex

Forced confessions:

Texas Youth Commission inmate Airick Browning finds himself in a no-win situation.

The McKinney youth insists he's innocent of the attempted rape charge that landed him in TYC, and his case is on appeal. But the only way he can go home soon is to confess to the crime as part of his TYC treatment.

Welcome to the U.S.'d to be of A.

[Updated] Beginning of the ENDA

Stop the presses! Something good happened in Washington:

The House passed the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA) passed this evening with a 235-184 vote. Rep. Barney Frank (D-MA), on the verge of tears, one of two openly gay members of the House, delivered an emotional speech denouncing the efforts of conservatives who attempted to sabotage the bill with parliamentary manuevers. Frank received resounding applause.

Another view.