Thanksgiving follow up

In this photo it is Thanksgiving day 1988. I am 17 years old. I am with the (now Rabbi) Larry Bach. We are massacring a pumpkin to boil, mash and turn into pumpkin pies.

We clearly have no idea what we're doing. But no one died from the pies, so pat on the back to us.

Thanks Michele!

Yom haTarnegol hodoo (Turkey Day!)

Twenty years ago today, I was living on a kibbutz in Israel. I had been living there about 3 months at the time, just enough time to feel settled and comfortable in my surroundings.

On Tzora, I lived with 21 other American students in a little village, separated slightly from the kibbutzniks, though we occupied the same land and intermingled constantly both at work and at play.

Most of the kibbutzniks were born in Israel. Of those that were not Sabras, most were South African and there were a few Argentinians sprinkled in for flair.

There was no American celebration of Thanksgiving on Kibbutz Tzora.

There was, however, a turkey farm. 18,000 stinky, stinky turkeys.

Our living situation was not luxurious but apparently not one of us cared. Each of us shared a room with one other person. In each room there were 2 cots, 2 desks, 2 closets, 2 chairs, a sink, a hotplate and in the bathroom there was a toilet, a sink and a shower head sticking out of the wall.

Three rooms shared one refrigerator.

We all shared a meeting room where we met for some of our courses. In addition to the tables and chairs, there was a television and an oven. At that time, Israel had 3 TV channels. The only thing I remember about the TV was that on Pesach, the 10 Commandments with Charlton Heston showed 24 hours a day. Weird.

Anyway, we decided to make Thanksgiving dinner. I was 17, the youngest of the bunch. I think the eldest was a grand 23 years old. Not quite Kid Nation but a rag tag bunch we were. We all had food rations for the store and I'm sure we saved up our butter and sugar rations for the big meal.

With 10 hot plates, 1 oven and 22 crazy kids, we prepared Thanksgiving dinner the old-fashioned way. Someone killed a turkey, plucked and degizzarded it, and cooked it in one of the massive kibbutz ovens at the main kitchen. Someone got some pumpkins at the closest town which we chopped up into small pieces and boiled on the hotplates, and then made the closest thing to pumpkin pie that we could. We also made stuffing and maude only knows what else. We probably drank more wine than we should have. If I remember correctly, that was a theme of my tenure in Israel.

I wish I had more memories of that day, but that is another story for another time.

What I do know, is that at 17, I learned how incredibly capable I was with this group. I became a more independent, more outspoken, braver human being than I had ever been before and even though I haven't seen most of them in 19 years, I do really love each and every one of them.

Make 'em Laugh!

Proposition 8 passage getting you down? Not finding any humor in it at all?

Lizard OC, a regular of the commentariat at Shakesville has put up a blog that has been making me giggle for the last couple of weeks. I thought (duh) I should share it with y'all. It's chock to the brimstone (he he) with comments from around these here internets by fundies who are making terrible (just TERRIBLE) arguments against same sex marriage followed by a bit of snarky commentary by Lizard. Here's a sample.

Diagnosis: Internalized vajayjay dentata

November 20, 2008

“I love my dog, my car, my children, and my jaw line. Because love is the bases for marriage then I should be able to marry all those items. In fact, I can recieve dental benefits because I am in love with my teeth and we are wed in California. I can wait till i get rectile benefits for my colonoscopy every week to diminish testing HIV positive: the disease of homosexuality.”

Can somebody call Shonda Rimes? Because I can see this as a terrific storyline for a Very Special Episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Man arrives at hospital with teeth and wedding ring hopelessly lodged in own genitalia; Izzie falls in love with him and steals another patient’s dentures to keep him alive and chewing; heartfelt pop music plays; Meredith realizes that her mother always loved her own jawline more than she loved her daughter; and many, many jokes are made about “rectile dysfunction.” Seriously.

Go get more at Fundamentally Flawed.

Transgender Day of Remembrance

Today is the 10th annual Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Since Prop 8 passed on the California ballot, two transgender women in the U.S. were murdered. Teish Cannon in Syracuse, New York was shot and killed and Duanna Johnson in Memphis, Tennessee was also shot and killed.

In the past year, since the last Day of Remembrance, 29 people have been murdered throughout the world for straying outside of the accepted gender norm.

The youngest of these was Lawrence King, 15 years old, who was shot in his classroom by a classmate because he wore traditionally women's clothing. But only 10 days later, Simmie Williams, Jr., 17 years old was shot and found wearing women's clothing as well.

Six months later, in July, we all heard about Angie Zapata, 18, who was beaten to death in her apartment in Colorado, but we didn't hear about Nakhia Williams in Louisville, Kentucky who was shot to death one month later.

Murderers often use the excuse that "they were tricked", they were "afraid" or they completely dehumanize the person as in the case of Angie Zapata. Giving, for one moment, the argument that being tricked or being afraid is real, the case for murder holds no water. A human being does not kill another for feeling "tricked."

In many of these cases, however, the dehumanization of a transgender or gender non-conforming person is the real "reason" they are murdered. Angie Zapata's killer said that he "killed it".

Destroying the other seems to be our "go-to" reaction lately. Whether it is raping and murdering women in the military, murdering people who don't conform to a gender norm or attempting to make Barack Obama into a terrorist Muslim, unpatriotic, scary black man that we "really don't know much about."

How about for one day, remembering that Duanna Johnson had a mother who loved her. That Angie was popular and fun, that Lawrence King had a life ahead of him to learn and grow and become whatever his heart desired. That all of these murdered people had friends and family (whether bio or chosen) that loved them and wept when they died.

See article by Queen Emily on How to Mourn.

Hope-y change....change-y hope?

It's all about the change-y hope around here parts. Because of so many donations, I am heading over to the Jeff Griffith Youth Center on Friday! Fully 32 days before my deadline with two lawn and leaf bags full of underwear, socks, washcloths, bras, shower gel, soap, mouthwash, sweatshirts, socks, and all kinds of other stuff these kids need.

Frank at the Youth Center was super sweet and very grateful for y'alls help.

If anyone wants to bring stuff to Stitch n' Bitch, I will definitely be there this week. Here's the list of what is desperately needed:

Unused stuff
washcloths
towels
socks
underwear
bras
hotel-sized toiletries

Used OK
Pants (this is a big one! Men's and women's of any sizes)
Sweatshirts

Thanks everyone!!!

And now, a humorous intermission (possibly NSFW)

I have a great love of all things tacky.

I cannot display my love of kitsch in my home, however, because our home is the "oasis of zen calm™" among my friends and family, so I'm told. Therefore, I cannot display my crocheted strawberry pie, the standee of Lisa Simpson or any other finds that have tickled my love of a good piece of trash. The only exception to this is my grove of pink flamingos in the back yard.

However, one of the greatest parts of the intertubes is that you can see other people's collections of stuff that they make, collect or find on the street.

Crochet is the art of kitsch. Some of the most hideous outfits ever put to advertising were crocheted. Just check out Stitchy McYarnpants for proof.

I have been crocheting since I was about 7 or 8 years old and though I'm not as fast as Ellen (Queen of crochet), I daresay, I'm pretty good. The greatest part of crochet is that you can make just about anything and you don't need a pattern. Crochet a little here, a little there and you have a taco, bacon, or severed fingers.

As I hopped around the web looking for fun this week, I found is What Not to Crochet.

and this.


Hellllllllllllllllllp!!!! FFS! What were they thinking?????????

Marriage vs. Civil Union

I have received a couple of emails about the fight for marriage equality and the issue with civil unions. This is my attempt to address the issues.

There are two issues here. One is semantics and the other is rights. Rights is the easiest of them, honestly, so I'll deal with that first.

RIGHTS
When I want to make decisions on behalf of my husband with regard to medical care, I am his wife and I have rights. Because we went to Vegas, paid $70 bucks and had Pat the County Commissioner declare us husband and wife, no one has the right or the responsibility that I do for my husband and vice versa. Only I can pull the plug on Michael. Our parents, no matter how much they yell and fight and try to sue, can't.

Whatever it is called, everyone, throughout the entire U.S., needs to have the same rights and responsibilities as everyone else. Until the Federal government passes completely non-negotiably equal marriage rights for everyone, this will continue to be a problem because if Jane and Jackie leave the state of Connecticut and drive to Maine and get into a car accident -- or Maude forbid, they get a job offer in another state, their rights do not extend. In addition, they do not have the federal tax advantages, or disadvantages that straight couples do.

SEMANTICS
As a religious studies scholar, it is very attractive to consider changing all secular "marriages" whether gay or straight, as civil unions as twinsetellen has suggested in a number of comments. Aside from all of the commentary that this is impossible given our society, etc., this "solution" leaves out the queers who are "joined" in a religious environment. Who gets to decide what consists of a religious marriage? Only fundamentalists get to define marriage? Does it mean that if Adam and Steve want to get married at All-Saints Episcopal and the officiating Reverend is more than happy to join them in holy matrimony, are they considered married? or just civilly unionized? If Rabbi Brian wants to join Tova and Elisheva as a married couple, will he be allowed or will only the Rabbinical Council be allowed to confer that title. If so, I know how that will turn out.

I am not religious, however, I would like to allow those couples who want to be joined in marriage to be so joined and while I like the idea of noting that, in fact all marriages that occurred in a non-religious environment are, civil unions, getting the federal government to change the wording to reflect that... well, I have too much to do to fight for the right to not be seen through this antiquated lens right now.

I have other fights to fight. As I mentioned a long time ago (2 1/2 years!!), I have to choose my battles. I recycle but I can't sleep in a park to save a tree. I do self-exams, but as yet I haven't walked 100 miles to raise money to fight cancer. I have to trust that someone else feels so strongly about these things that they will choose that issue, pick up their teaspoon and fight. I choose HIV, I choose rape and sexual assault, I choose marriage equality. If you feel strongly, trust that I am doing my part, pick up your own teaspoon and fight away!

To my Peeps in the AZ

Here are Roland Spongberg's Arizona El Pollo Loco Locations!!! Keep it up!

El Pollo Loco #3566 5130 S. McClintock. Tempe, AZ 85282 (480) 557-5555

El Pollo Loco #3561 5810 W. Bell Road. Glendale, AZ 85308 (602) 268-6611

El Pollo Loco #3567 3781 W. Ina. Marana, AZ 85741 (520) 572-0010

El Pollo Loco #3573 820 N. 54th St. Chandler, AZ 85226 (480) 763-0400

Proposition 8 Allies

So, in all fairness, I've been giving a lot of information about those who worked against equality and I'd like to remedy that a bit.

Here are some of the companies that we should be supporting with our equality-loving $$$$

Puma Springs Vineyard looks like my kind of place and I don't even drink! Barbara and Tony, the straight owners donated $35,500 to the NO on 8 campaign. I think I might just raise a glass to them!!! If you're planning a wine tour - I'd spend time with this lovely couple (BTW - they rent sheep to weed the vineyards!!!)

GreenDirt Landscape Design made a contribution of $11,500 - how did Mr. Wolk know I was looking for a landscape designer? The next time you are, have I got a guy for you!!!

Aanraku Glass Studios sells gorgeous materials for art lovers and stained glass artists alike. They donated $1001!

Dolby Laboratories - Ray and Dagmar Dolby have been allies from the way back. They donated $135,000 - yes. You read that right. Thanks Dolbys!!! I'm not sure how to support them but you can smile when you see that Dolby Surround logo!!!

You can also geek out to Star Wars as Mr. Lucas and LucasFilm donated $100,000.

Throw on your 501s as Levi Strauss - also a longtime supporter donated $25,000. And head to Circus Disco (!) where owner Eugene La Pietra donated $100,000! Hopefully the DJ be playing Fall Out Boy who donated $50,000! If not, you can put their new single on your Apple iPod as Apple donated $100,000 as well!


If you know of any other allies I should be noting - please leave in comments!

Stitch n' Bitch tonight/Prop 8 protest

Hey my stitchers and bitchers at WeHo - just an F to the YI, there's going to be a ginormous protest outside of El Coyote on Beverly tonight.

Expect Beverly to be utterly unpassable starting at around 4 p.m. between La Brea and Fairfax.

Plan your route accordingly.

This has been your traffic report for the day.

Civil Rights and Boycotts

I feel the need to make some points.

1. Free speech:

Free speech is our right in this country. The 52% of Californians who voted yes on 8 had every right to do that were within their rights to cast a vote given that the amendment was legally placed on the ballot. I don't deny that they have this right, nor do I wish for that right to be taken away from them. The legality of the amendment in itself is the issue here.

I also have the right to not economically participate in the economy that gave them the money to win that vote. In addition, their right to boycott any companies that spent money on the No on 8 side is free to them. In fact, here's a link. Feel free to boycott all Apple products, throw away your Levi's, all films by Brad Pitt. I am entirely serious. Our money is our vote as is yours.

Meanwhile, I will continue to boycott the two companies that affect me, El Pollo Loco (those owned by WKS Restaurant Corp.), the Manchester Hotels and HiTorque publications.

2. Separate but equal

From a comment on Eater L.A.

"Even Elton John stated and rightly so that you have the same rights under a civil union as you do under marriage. Perhaps there are some nuances-not a bid [sic] deal. Why do you want marriage so badly--why?? Why do you so badly need the approval of society[?]"

I've been reading a lot of this in comments on posts about Prop 8. Usually the comments involve references to recruiting children, assholes, limp wrists and purses. This comment did, I just chose to snip those parts out. I know I'm mostly preaching to a choir here, but I have to point out that the same rights are actually not granted under a civil union. Also, the approval of society is not important. If it was, marching in the streets wouldn't be the way to get it. Conforming would be -- and no one is doing that. What queers want is not to conform but to have EQUAL RIGHTS. No more. No less.

Here's what happens when we're not granted EQUALITY. Please read this first hand account.

Also, just because Elton says something, doesn't mean it is so. He's a song writer. He's great at raising money to fight HIV. He may not be the most politically savvy or best spokesperson for teh gayz.

Just sayin'.

Oh, no she didn't

Long ago, when I frequented El Coyote (mid-90's), I used to say it was the only restaurant in L.A. that you could flip over your plate and all the food would stay put. I haven't been in about 10 years and so my boycott won't amount to much, but if you go...don't.

Marjorie Christoffersen, part owner and manager of El Coyote gave $100 to Yes on 8 group ProtectMarriage.com.

She now says she regrets her decision.

Ms. Christoffersen said on one blog advocating a boycott of El Coyote.

I love you guys, I would never do anything to hurt you, I wish I hadn't done it.

So do I. But now there is a call to boycott the restaurant, which has been owned by a branch of Marjorie's family since it opened in 1931. To try to make nice, Marjorie says that she's holding "an open breakfast Wednesday at 11am to speak to the community."

Brunch started about 15 minutes ago. Anyone there to make nice?

Via Huffington Post

An Eye for An Eye

I believe strongly in Gandhi's quote, "An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind." However, when Gandhi said that quote, he was talking about his practice of Satyagraha or nonviolent resistance which is specifically what this movement is practicing. We are, in fact, by boycotting, "achieving socio-political goals through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or political noncooperation, and other methods, without using violence.

Do not lecture to me about Gandhi if you have no idea what he advocated.

BTW - it looks like WKS only owns Corner Bakeries in Arizona and coming to Utah (of course).

More to come about protests and boycotts. Of course.

By the way, there's a huge protest tonight at the Mormon Temple in NYC. If you're on that side of the country, get out there and hold a sign. In addition, there's another protest this afternoon at the Mormon Temple at Santa Monica and Selby.

What:           PROTEST & RALLY against the Mormon Temple (W. LA) Over the
              Church's Backing and Financial Support of Proposition #8
When:           Wednesday, November 12th
              5:00pm - 7:00pm
Where:          Mormon Temple (Los Angeles California Temple of the Mormon
              Church)
              10777 Santa Monica Blvd. @ Overland
              West Los Angeles, CA 90025
Who:            endH8now organizers, protesters and community leaders
CONTACT:        Michael Sanchez, endH8now
              310-940-6886
              axistalent@gmail.com


               www.endH8now.com

TNNA and Proposition 8

This winter, The National NeedleArts Association will be holding its Winter 2009 Trade Show at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego. I won't be attending and I'll be letting TNNA know the reason.

Developer Doug Manchester has given significant financial support to Proposition 8. Manchester’s $125,000 donation has prompted activists to boycott the Manchester Grand Hyatt, the Grand Del Mar and the Manchester-owned San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina. So far, the San Diego County retirement board and the Association of American Law Schools have canceled events at the Manchester Hyatt.

Sorry, TNNA - I'm not spending one dime to support Doug Manchester.

If you want to send a message to TNNA - let them know why here:

Address: 1100-H Brandywine Blvd.
Zanesville, OH 43701
Phone: 800-889-8662
Fax: 740-452-2552
Email: TNNA.info@Offinger.com

(This man's money was used to rob us of our civil rights.)

El Pollo Loco/Proposition 8

The franchise owner of the following El Pollo Locos in California donated money in support of Proposition 8. As one of my stand-by restaurants for any occasion, I will be boycotting the following locations owned by WKS Restaurant Corporation, owned by Roland Spongberg.

Also -- If anyone out there knows someone at either CSULA or CSULB, there are Pollo Locos on those campuses owned by WKS. The campus communities should be made aware.


(by Area Code)

(818)
El Pollo Loco #3525 16940 Nordhoff St. Northridge, CA 91343-3526 (818) 895-1680
El Pollo Loco #3532 10651 Balboa Blvd. Granada Hills, CA 91344 phone: (818) 831-4044
El Pollo Loco #3467 4544 Saugus Ave. Sherman Oaks, CA 91403 (818) 990-7655

(323)
El Pollo Loco #3526 3925 Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90029(323) 665-1333
El Pollo Loco #3504 5151 State University Dr. CSULA Golden Eagle Bldg. Los Angeles, CA 90032 (323) 343-6728
El Pollo Loco #3507 1360 W. Imperial Hwy. Los Angeles, CA 90029 (323) 757-8229
El Pollo Loco #3528 6929 Eastern Av. Bell Gardens, CA 90201

(310)
El Pollo Loco #3531 3008 Sepulveda Blvd. W. Los Angeles, CA 90034 (310) 444-0010
El Pollo Loco #3461 7639 Garvey Ave. Rosemead, CA 91770 (626) 307-4394


(562)
El Pollo Loco #3457 2727 Carson St. Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 496-1664
El Pollo Loco #3455 1212 S. Bellflower Blvd. CSULB-Student Union Bldg. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 985-2361
El Pollo Loco #3448 16707 Pioneer Blvd. Artesia, CA 90701 (562) 924-6918
El Pollo Loco #3392 2200 Clark Ave. Long Beach, CA 90815 (562) 494-9691
El Pollo Loco #3322 3502 Cerritos Ave. Los Alamitos, CA 90720 (562) 626-8388
El Pollo Loco #3545 3425 E. Anaheim St. Long Beach, CA 90804 (562) 494-1343
El Pollo Loco #3488 11601 Carson St. Lakewood, CA 90712 (562) 924-2250

(951)
El Pollo Loco #3494 40468 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd. Murrieta, CA 92562 (951) 304-7082
El Pollo Loco #3521 32451 State Hwy 79. Temecula, CA 92592 (951)302-2611
El Pollo Loco #3495 117 W. Nuevo Road. Perris, CA 92571 (951) 943-4626
El Pollo Loco #3477 31550 Grape St. Lake Elsinore, CA 92532 (951) 245-1542

(949)
El Pollo Loco #3458 2232 S. Bristol St. Newport Beach, CA 92660 (949) 474-2120
El Pollo Loco #3490 21212 Bake Pkwy. Lake Forest, CA 92630 (949) 454-8312

(714)
El Pollo Loco #3453 120 No. Euclid. Fullerton, CA 92832

(661)
El Pollo Loco #3371 8200 Stockdale Hwy. Bakersfield, CA 93311 (661) 831-9443
El Pollo Loco #3476 2000 White Lane. Bakersfield, CA 93304 (661) 396-7639
El Pollo Loco #3475 3701 California Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93309 (661) 322-4887

(909)
El Pollo Loco #3506 1090 S. Mt. Vernon. Colton, CA 92324 (909) 777-0045

(858)
El Pollo Loco #3565 4330 Genessee Ave. San Diego, CA 92117 (858) 278-0355
El Pollo Loco #3564 8349 Mira Mesa Blvd. San Diego, CA 92126 (858) 578-7553

(619)
El Pollo Loco #3563 3444 Midway Dr. San Diego, CA 92110 (619) 523-9904
El Pollo Loco #3562 494 Broadway. El Cajon, CA 92021 (619) 588-6034

And WKS owns this Denny's in Fontana
Denny's 17009 Valley Blvd. Fontana, CA 92335 (909) 822-8550

ETA: This is a complete list of all of the California El Pollo Locos and Dennys owned by WKS.
Also, you can verify that Roland Spongberg (or anyone else) has donated in support of (or against) Prop 8 here.

Laguna Beach Rally against Prop 8

Outraged by the passage of Prop 8, our community and our allies are fighting back. As some of our best legal minds have filed three separate lawsuits with the California Supreme Court, tens of thousands of outraged residents are organizing throughout California with one purpose and resolve. We MUST show the world that we will not have our rights voted away by the forces of homophobia and bigotry! This injustice cannot stand!!

We call on all who believe in Equality for All to head for Laguna Beach Saturday evening, Nov 8, for a Rally and March. We will gather at 5:30pm at Laguna Beach City Hall, 505 Forest Ave., Laguna Beach CA 92651. From this location we will march to Main Beach where we will hold a Rally and Candlelight (or flashlight) Vigil before returning to City Hall.

We urge everyone to arrive early and park in the Act V Parking Lot @ 1900 Laguna Canyon Road (About 1 mile from PCH on Laguna Canyon Rd.) Shuttle busses will be running every 15 mins., beginning at 4:30pm until 10pm. After this lot fills up you can park on Laguna Canyon Rd. (bring quarters). No On Prop 8 and hand made signs, American, Rainbow and California flags, candles and whistles. Bring a flashlight, since it may be too windy for candles. DRESS for a cool evening.

Please forward this e-mail to your lists with requests to do the same!!

Audrey Prosser
Harvey Liss
Jeff LeTourneau
No On Prop 8 OC

We urgently need up to 25 volunteer monitors to help insure a safe and peaceful event. If you can volunteer, please respond to this e-mail and plan to arrive at 4:30 PM for training.

Hat tip to Lizard OC

The Boycotts Begin - Damnit!!!

Roland Spongberg, Long Beach, CA
WKS Restaurant Group, President
$6,000 on 8/21/08

This one is the saddest for me as WKS Restaurant group owns a huge percentage of the El Pollo Loco franchises in So Cal. As many of you know, this is my favorite restaurant. I am working on the locations so I know which ones I can't go to anymore...

Terry Caster & Family, San Diego, CA
A-1 Self Storage–4607 Mission Gorge Place, San Diego, CA 92120 • Tel: 800.219.4854 • Web: www.a1storage.com and www.castergrp.com and www.servinghands.com
$693,000
The Caster Family owns A-1 Self Storage, with 40 locations throughout California. Terry Caster is quoted in the San Diego Union Tribune as saying “without solid marriage you are going to have a sick society.”

Robert Hurtt, Orange, CA
Container Supply Company–PO Box 5367, Garden Grove, CA 92846-0367 • Tel: 714.892.8321 • Web: www.containersupplycompany.com
$550,000
Robert Hurtt, President of Container Supply, gave: $25,000 on 4/18/08, $25,000 on 7/22/08 (from Container Supply), $250,000 on 9/5/08 and $250,000 on 10/17/08.

Robert Hoehn, Carlsbad, CA
Hoehn Motors–5475 Car Country Dr, Carlsbad, CA 92008 • Tel: 760.438.4454 • Web: www.hoehnmotors.com
$25,000
Robert Hoehn, President of Hoehn Motors in Carlsbad, CA gave: $25,000 on 2/8/08
Hoehn Motors has 6 large car dealerships located along the 5 freeway in Northern San Diego County: Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, Infiniti, Acura and Honda.

Roland Hinz, Valencia, CA
Hi-Torque Publications–25233 Anza Dr., Valencia, CA 91355 • Tel: 661.295.1910 • Web: www.hi-torque.com

$12,500
Roland Hinz, President of Hi-Torque Publications, gave: $12,500 on 4/7/08
Hi-Torque Publications is the world’s leading publisher of off-road, motorcycle and all-terrain vehicle magazines, with a readership of over 2 million per month. The magazines are:
Motocross Action, Mountain Bike Action, Dirt Bike, BMX Plus!, Dirtwheels, Road Bike Action, 4Wheel ATV Action and R/C Car

Amanda Crane, San Diego, CA
Larsen Golden Spoon, Owner
$10,000 on 8/8/08

Roland Spongberg, Long Beach, CA
WKS Restaurant Group, President
$6,000 on 8/21/08

This one is the saddest for me as WKS Restaurant group owns a huge percentage of the El Pollo Loco franchises in So Cal. As many of you know, this is my favorite restaurant. I am working on the locations so I know which ones I can't go to anymore...

Inspired to Change

Good morning everyone! It is a new day here in America and I am feeling it. The photos and speeches have made me cry (ME!!! I know!!!) and I can't get enough of the hope.

In that vein, I know we're all going to have to do our part to help this country heal.

In honor of our President-Elect Barack Obama, I am starting a new project.

I would like, by my birthday, to have at least 2 black lawn bags worth of new packaged socks and men's and women's underwear of all sizes to donate to the Jeff Griffith Youth Services Center for homeless gay, lesbian, bi and transgender youth.

I will also be accepting any toiletries you happen to have as they offer showers for drop-ins. The next time you go to the market, pick up a 3 pack of socks. If it won't affect your bill in much of a discernible way or you are feeling generous or perhaps you'll get the magazine/grapes/case of Coke at your next shopping trip. If you are pinching pennies right now and just can't make the donation, I completely understand. It's rough out there and I don't want anyone to feel like I'm assuming their situation. If you can help, they need it. When the economy slows, many organizations start losing donors and gay and lesbian street youth can be some of the most disenfranchised of all.

Prop 8 update #2

• Los Angeles regretfully has started denying applications to same sex couples immediately as required
  
• So, last night the queers were angry and took to the streets. 7 arrested in Hollywood, mostly peaceful everywhere else.
• Protest today in front of the Mormon Temple on Santa Monica Blvd. at 2 p.m. Lorri Jean will be speaking.
• WHAT: Leading supporters of marriage equality will hold a news conference in front of the Los Angeles Mormon Temple in response to the Mormon church’s leading role in the deceptive advertising campaign for Proposition 8. At the urging of church President Thomas Monson, Mormons contributed more than $15 million to fund the initiative which would repeal the right of same-sex couples to marry.
  WHEN: Thursday, Nov. 6, 2 p.m.
  WHO: Speakers include: Lorri L. Jean, CEO, L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center, Religious and community leaders
  WHERE: Los Angeles Mormon Temple, Corner of Selby Ave. and Santa Monica Blvd. Westwood, California 90025
• The Christian Right is monitoring blogs for violent comments. You are forewarned.
• Per KLIV: Santa Clara County is joining the city of Los Angeles and San Francisco County in a legal challenge to Proposition 8, the gay marriage ban passed by voters Tuesday.
  
  County Counsel Ann Ravel says the county is challenging Prop 8 because it would limit the rights of certain residents by not letting gay couples marry. Because the County Clerk is required to issue marriages, the County has an interest in making certain all its citizens are treated equally.
  
  Ravel says there is only one legal way to amend the California Constitution to ban gay marriage. The legislature needs to pass a revision when a fundamental right is involved. That would then go to the public for a vote

5,387, 939 votes for Prop 8
4,883,460 votes against

difference of 504,479 votes 100% of precincts reporting.

I'm going to keep updating with everything I learn.

Prop 8 update

What I know so far:

1. Nowhere in the amendment does it revoke the rights of those persons who have already been married (per Atty. General Jerry Brown).

2. Two lawsuits have already been filed challenging the constitutionality of this amendment.

3. Since the court ruling that led to this proposition found that marriage was a "fundamental right" under the state constitution, you cannot take that right away by simply amending the constitution; you would need to revise it. While an amendment only needs a simple majority vote, a revision requires a constitutional convention, which itself requires a two-thirds legislative vote -- something highly unlikely to happen in California.

4. As a commenter said on Shakesville:

The Prop 8 amendment simply banned gay marriage, without addressing that equal protection factor.

When the United States Constitution was amended to undo a provision of itself (prohibition), it specifically negated that provision---"The eighteenth article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is hereby repealed. "

Prop 8's wording did no such thing, so what we have here is that the California State Constitution now says two different things. It says

"(a) A person may not be deprived of life, liberty, or
property without due process of law or denied equal protection of the
laws; . . . (b) A citizen or class of citizens may not be granted privileges
or immunities not granted on the same terms to all citizens." (Article I, Section 7)

which the State Supreme Court has interpreted to include marriage rights, and now with Prop 8 passing it also says

"Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid and recognized in California."

and I do not see anything to specify which legitimately outweighs the other; it's like two laws saying "cars must be red in color" and "cars must be green in color." There is no part of this new amendment saying "This repeals the right of equal protection under the law" or "nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to require otherwise," and thus it seems to me that the constitutional amendment is unconstitutional---and what on Earth gets done when that happens?

I think this is what the California Supreme Court is going to have to decide. And since they already decided against denial of rights, it is likely that they will do so again.

Good news for all. Now, about all you haters....

Proposition 8

Hey all. I have a guest post on Proposition 8 over at Shakesville today.

Check it out.

Tick tock

First polls close on the East coast in 30 27 hours!!!!

Polls close here in California in 35 32 hours!

Please don't forget to Vote NO on 8!!!

I'll be a poll captain for No on 8 in Sherman Oaks tomorrow morning from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. If you're voting in Sherman Oaks, perhaps I'll see you there!