Monthly Archives: October 2009

Gay-Rights Battle Brewing Over 2010 U.S. Census

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Gay-Rights Battle Brewing Over 2010 U.S. Census | Newsweek National News | Newsweek.com

For the first time in the centuries-long history of the census, the number of same-sex couples who self-identify as married—license or no license—will be tabulated and released to the public. The move is seen as both a friendly nod to the gay community—which had pinned its hopes on President Obama and has, at least in some quarters, been frustrated by a perceived slow response to gay-rights issues—and a boost to policy fights, from challenging laws that limit gay adoptions to the nationwide legalization of gay marriage.

Take the Plunge

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Take the Plunge | Bill McKibben | Orion Magazine

On October 24, the people of the Maldives will hold the largest underwater political demonstration in history, a momentary intrusion of the noisy outside world into the quiet timelessness of the reef. I doubt the floating stingrays will mind, or the green sea turtles, or the clouds of parrotfish—they seem to look on with mild interest at everything that happens. But this will be a scene: 350 divers descending beneath the waves with signs and banners. A local photographer will snap a picture and swim to the surface and plug in his MacBook Pro and upload that image to a server. And there it will join thousands of other images piling in from all the other local places around the planet: …

Vatican creates new structure for Anglicans

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The Associated Press: Vatican creates new structure for Anglicans

…the new canonical structure is a response to the many requests that have come to the Vatican over the years from Anglicans who have become increasingly disillusioned with the ordination of women, the election of openly gay bishops and the blessing of same-sex unions in the 77-million strong Anglican Communion. He declined to give figures on the number of requests that have come to the Vatican, or on the anticipated number of Anglicans who might take advantage of the new structure.

The new canonical provision allows married Anglican priests to become ordained Catholic priests — much the same way that Eastern rite priests who are in communion with Rome are allowed to be married. However, married Anglicans couldn’t become Catholic bishops….

Wasting Away: The Squandering of D.C.’s AIDS Dollars

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Wasting Away: The Squandering of D.C.’s AIDS Dollars – washingtonpost.com

While the sick languished in alleyways and on park benches in the city with the nation’s highest AIDS rate, D.C. government allowed widespread waste and mismanagement to overwhelm the city’s AIDS services. A three-part documentary explores some of these groups and the lives impacted by a lack of care.

Millions struggle, lack access to substance abuse treatment

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In September, the country observed National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery month. The observance highlights the societal benefits of substance abuse treatment, the contributions of treatment providers and promotes the message that recovery from substance abuse in all its forms is not impossible.

According to a U.S. Health Department survey, 23.1 million Americans need specialized treatment for a substance abuse problem, but only approximately 10 percent, or just 2.3 million people, get help.

Millions struggle, lack access to substance abuse treatment

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Richross2Disney has long been the most gay friendly studio in Hollywood, having had a couple of gay production chiefs over the years, most recently Nina Jacobson, now an independent producer after being forced out in a studio purge several years ago. The studio’s theme parks have allowed unofficial Gay Day celebrations for years, prompting a host of venomous attacks from various Christian right anti-gay zealots. But Disney now has a really big first — Rich Ross, Hollywood’s first openly gay studio chief….

What is Alcoholic Cirrhosis – Liver Disease?

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Habitual drinking of alcohol can damage the liver. There are 3 types of damage: alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and alcoholic cirrhosis. The amount of damage depends on the amount of alcohol used and how long the drinking continues. The type of alcohol is not important.

What is going on in the body?…

24Medica – What is Alcoholic Cirrhosis – Liver Disease?

Liberals Aren’t Un-American. Conservatives Aren’t Ignorant.

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Jonathan Haidt is hardly a road-rage kind of guy, but he does get irritated by self-righteous bumper stickers. The soft-spoken psychologist is acutely annoyed by certain smug slogans that adorn the cars of fellow liberals: “Support our troops—bring them home” and “Dissent is the highest form of patriotism.”

“No conservative reads those bumper stickers and thinks, ‘Hmm . . . so liberals are patriotic!’” he says, in a sarcastic tone of voice that jarringly contrasts with his usual subdued sincerity. “We liberals are universalists and humanists; it’s not part of our morality to highly value nations. So to claim dissent is patriotic—or that we’re supporting the troops, when in fact we’re opposing the war—is disingenuous.

“It just pisses people off.”

The University of Virginia scholar views such slogans as clumsy attempts to insist we all share the same values. In his view, these catch phrases are not only insincere, they’re also fundamentally wrong. Liberals and conservatives, he insists, inhabit different moral universes….

Liberals Aren’t Un-American. Conservatives Aren’t Ignorant.

I’ve been saying that for a long time; rarely shall the twain meet. There are simply two basic sorts of human, with different world views. I used to think that was over-simplification, but as I’ve gotten older it’s become absolutely clear.