new yorkers for marriage equality

A new, youth-led campaign for marriage equality has been launched at newyorkequality.com, led by the Manhattan Young Democrats. The campaign is targeting the NY State Senate, who is the last roadblock for the state's marriage equality legislation legalizing same-sex marriage, which was introduced by Gov. David Patterson and has been overwhelming approved in the State Assembly.

You can join the Facebook Group here.

(h/t Future Majority)

In other marriage equality news, New Hampshire's marriage equality legislation seems to have fallen apart. Gov. John Lynch sent a bill passed by both houses of the state legislature back to them, saying he wanted more protections for religious institutions in it (although none were needed, as this clearly only implicates civil marriage and in no way has anything to do with what religious institutions can and cannot do). The legislature refused to make the requested changes, thus killing the bill for this session. Very unfortunate.

happy apia heritage month

Oh crap, I forgot: it's Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! We have a lot to be thankful for this year, including the most representation we've ever seen of APIAs in the Cabinet, and just this week, the presumption of the first Asian American Congressperson from Southern California.

Here's Pres. Obama's Proclamation from the first of this May:

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

---------------------------------
For Immediate Release May 1, 2009


ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

The vast diversity of languages, religions, and cultural traditions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continues to strengthen the fabric of American society. From the arrival of the first Asian American and Pacific Islander immigrants 150 years ago to those who arrive today, as well as those native to the Hawaiian Islands and to our Pacific Island territories, all possess the common purpose of the fulfilling the American dream and leading a life bound by the American ideals of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

During Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we remember the challenges and celebrate the achievements that define our history.

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have endured and overcome hardship and heartache. In the earliest years, tens of thousands of Gold Rush pioneers, coal miners, transcontinental railroad builders, as well as farm and orchard laborers, were subject to unjust working conditions, prejudice, and discrimination——yet they excelled. Even in the darkness of the Exclusion Act and Japanese internment, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have persevered, providing for their families and creating opportunities for their children.

Amidst these struggles, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed in great and significant ways to all aspects of society. They have created works of literature and art, thrived as American athletes, and prospered in the world of academia. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have played a vital role in our Nation's economic and technological growth by establishing successful enterprises and pushing the limits of science. They are serving in positions of leadership within the government more now than ever before. And along with all of our great service men and women, they have defended the United States from threats at home and abroad, serving our Nation with valor.

From the beaches of the Pacific islands and the California coast, the grasslands of Central Asia and the bluegrass of Kentucky, and from the summits of the Himalayas and the Rocky Mountains, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community hails from near and far. This is the story of our more perfect union: that it is diversity itself that enriches, and is fundamental to, the American story.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2009, as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. I call upon the people of the United States to learn more about the history of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to observe this month with appropriate programs and activities.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

# # #

making healthy food accessible to all new yorkers

NY Gov. David Patterson and NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg have teamed up to expand access to healthy and fresh produce and other groceries for low-income, underserved populations, Gothamist reported earlier this week:

Acting on last year's study showing that many lower-income neighborhoods desperately need decent grocery stores, today Mayor Bloomberg and Governor Paterson have announced a new program to encourage "the establishment and retention of neighborhood grocery stores in underserved communities in Northern Manhattan, the South Bronx, Central Brooklyn and Jamaica, Queens." It's called the Food Retail Expansion to Support Health (FRESH) Food Stores program, and the mayor's office predicts it will "help create an estimated 15 new grocery stores and upgrade 10 existing stores, creating 1,100 new jobs and retaining 400 others over 10 years."

Undoubtedly a step in the right direction, especially considering the WaPo story the same day that explores how it costs more to be poor, in every area of life from groceries to laundry to banking. An excerpt:

Poverty 101: We'll start with the basics.

Like food: You don't have a car to get to a supermarket, much less to Costco or Trader Joe's, where the middle class goes to save money. You don't have three hours to take the bus. So you buy groceries at the corner store, where a gallon of milk costs an extra dollar.

A loaf of bread there costs you $2.99 for white. For wheat, it's $3.79.[...]

(At a Safeway on Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda, the wheat bread costs $1.19, and white bread is on sale for $1.[...])

Access to healthy produce and groceries is a key social determinant of health. Without proper nutrition, one's opportunities in life may be limited. Tax credits for grocery chains to build in underserved neighborhoods is a good first step, but localities and states really must be more bold in making sure that access is not governed by profitability and, thus, by the average income of a community.

aftermath of yesterday's ca special election

So yesterday's special election came and went, with a depressing, record-breaking low turnout of 10% of eligible voters. All of the initiatives that were supposedly going to save California from budgetary disaster were resoundingly smacked down by voters, who are sick and tired of playing fiscal shell games in order to overcome Republican minority vetos of the state's finances.

Framing guru George Lakoff sees an opportunity in all of this:

California voters have rejected the nonfunctional minority-rule government that has bankrupted the state, along with the governor who led the state into bankruptcy.

The voters want a functional democracy, and that means majority rule. No more blackmail by a 1/3 plus 1 Republican minority. [...]

The Democratic leadership should immediately take the initiative on a 2010 ballot measure, a supremely simple one-sentence measure. It would go something like this:

All budgetary and revenue issues shall be decided by a majority vote in both houses of the legislature.

One sentence. Simple. Straightforward. Understandable. And democratic. It should be called the California Democracy Act. From grade school on, we associate democracy with majority rule. It will make sense to voters – at last!

And the Courage Campaign seems to agree, starting a campaign that roughly uses Lakoff's language: Declaration of Democracy:

The special election resolved nothing. California still faces a massive budget deficit. And, try as they might, our state legislators will likely fail to close the gap because the system in which they operate is inherently dysfunctional.

The legislature cannot do its job because unlike 47 other states, it cannot make budget decisions by a majority vote. As a result of the ridiculous 2/3rds requirement for passing a budget, a small cabal of right-wing Republicans hold California's budget hostage year after year after year.

Government fails when it isn't democratic, as the 2/3rds rule repeatedly proves. That's why the Courage Campaign, CREDO Mobile and the League of Young Voters are declaring today that it's time to bring democracy to California's broken government. [...]

DECLARATION OF DEMOCRACY: Budgets and taxes should be approved by a majority vote of the legislature.

Support Democracy (and fiscal sanity) by clicking here.

Also, congrats to Judy Chu for winning the Congressional primary in the San Gabriel Valley (CA-32). She's now a sure favorite to be the next Representative from now-Labor Secretary Hilda Solis's former district (the district is well over 70% Democratic). Not only will she be a great progressive addition to the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (and hopefully the Progressive Caucus, as well), but she is a proven coalition builder and has been throughout her career. I'm looking forward to seeing her in Congress as Southern California's first Asian-American Representative.

obama the candidate vs. pres. obama

I think we all sadly remember how easy it was for Jon Stewart and company to do this to President Dubya:

The Daily Show With Jon Stewart	M - Th 11p / 10c
Moral Kombat
thedailyshow.com
Daily Show Full Episodes Economic Crisis Political Humor

And now the Military Commissions Strike Back...

Obama the Candidate:

During the campaign, Mr. Obama criticized the military commission system as a failure, saying, “It’s time to better protect the American people and our values by bringing swift and sure justice to terrorists through our courts and our Uniform Code of Military Justice,” which is used to prosecute members of the armed services.

President Obama:

In a statement, President Obama noted that there was a long American tradition of using military commissions, and said the administration was proposing changes to make them provide fairer justice.

Mr. Obama said the commissions would be used as one avenue for prosecution along with existing American courts. “This is the best way to protect our country, while upholding our deeply held values,” the statement said.

As Stewart said:

Yes We Can
*But That Doesn't Necessarily Mean We're Going To

the return of unfair trials, obama-style

Very disappointing news, and a direct contrast to Pres. Obama's campaign promises:

President Barack Obama is expected to announce on Friday the resumption of the use of military tribunals on Guantanamo prisoners, a system implemented by his predecessor that he had criticized and halted only hours after taking office on Jan. 20.

Obama will revive military trials, according to reports, but terror suspects will have more rights to defend themselves than under the system of the Bush administration.[...]

"The military commissions are built on unconstitutional premises and designed to ensure convictions, not provide fair trials. Reducing some but not all of the flaws of the tribunals so that they are 'less offensive' is not acceptable," ACLU Anthony Romero said in a statement.

Obama has been under growing pressure to provide a "comprehensive plan" about how he will shut down Guantanamo without risking the nation's safety. Democrats this week had approved his request for funding for the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq without the $80 million he had asked to cover costs of shutting down the facility.

There has also been tension with rights groups such as ACLU, who called his reversal this week of a decision to release photos of detainees in Afghanistan and Iraq a "betrayal" and "adoption" of Bush administration policies.

Change-iness?

arnold taking a page out of mervyn's book?

The LA Times reports today that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is proposing selling 11 major state properties--including the L.A. Coliseum and San Quentin State Prison--in order to raise between $660 million and $1 billion in cash. State Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Inglewood) points out that this may perhaps be a bad idea, at least in terms of those properties that are actually generating a profit for the state:

Sen. Roderick Wright (D-Inglewood) said selling the Coliseum is a bad idea, because it is well-used and turning a profit.

"You've got a depressed market, so you are not going to get its full value," Wright said. "To try to sell the Coliseum now in a fire sale is not a prudent thing to do."

But perhaps even more worrisome is the idea that the Gubernator wants to sell properties that the state continues to need and would likely need to lease back after selling them. While the governor's proposal optimistically refers to this as "the kind of mechanism used by commercial property owners to free up cash," this is another example of shortsighted free market analogs. The selling off land for businesses makes them nimble, allowing retail to relocate to better locations, for example. But what the state is doing here is selling off valuable, profit-generating property for short-term gain, and then increasing state operational expenses by leasing back the property previously owned and thus used for free. No one can pretend that we're just going to up and relocate the operations of the Coliseum, and moreover, we shouldn't; unlike a business, which is rightly interested in quarterly profits, the state needs to be thinking about the long-term effects of these transactions on Californians. This seems to be of the sort of too-clever financial card-shuffling that we should all be a little wary of at this point. (Thanks Karl for the helpful analysis).

The state, however, may be between a rock and a hard place, and no options are looking that good right now. Make no mistake: Republicans put us here by blocking new revenues in the original Democratic-controlled legislature's budget. Just another one of unending signs for the need of revenue-raising reform, and the reform of the dreaded Prop. 13 that has locked us into this mess.

mercenary war profiteers withhold water from troops; troops forced to steal the water they were supposed to be given

Disgusting, and another example of what you get when you privatize things that should be public (defense-related services in this case) (via pandagon, via Raw Story):

The Army’s field manual states that in the desert, the human body can lose as much as four gallons of water a day, yet soldiers were only receiving two to three liters of water per day from commanders. [...]

US soldiers are now being forced to steal water in Iraq. With supplies tight, and the number of trucks carrying potable water even tighter, troops have resorted to stealing water from civilian contractors. Many have also reportedly suffered from dysentery because they were forced to drink untreated water from Iraqi wells. [...]

It gets worse. Soldiers say the situation has become so dire they were forced to raid the United States’ own airbase in Baghdad for bottled water. They found the water stored in pallets held by civilian contractors, who were supposed to be distributing it.

“It really hit me the day I was with my commander and we’re stealing water,” Army Staff Sgt. Dustin Robey told the station, describing his mission to collect water at the Baghdad International Airport. A second soldier said he’d also stolen water from civilian contractors: “We’d just run out and start grabbing cases of water and start throwing them in the gunner’s hatch,” Private Bryan Hannah quipped.

Much of the water-distribution has been contracted to mercenary outfit Kellogg Brown and Root, a subsidiary/spin-off of Cheney's old outfit, Halliburton.

Houston's KHOU has the story here.

u.s. elected to united nations human rights council

From BBC:

[T]he Obama administration has reversed its predecessor's policy of boycotting the Geneva-based body.

The US was one of 18 countries elected to the 47-seat council in a vote by the UN General Assembly.

After the vote, the US Ambassador to the UN, Susan Rice, told the BBC America was not blind to the council's flaws.

"Obviously there will always be some countries whose respect and record on human rights is sub-par," she said.

"We have not been perfect ourselves but we intend to lead based on the strong principled vision that the American people have about respecting human rights [and] supporting democracy."

A success in Obama's "new era of engagement" with the rest of the world and a victory for multilateralism.

poetic justice

A bit late covering story, but it's pretty neat, from Yahoo!: Obama the first Asian-American president?:

[Journalist and scholar Helen Zia] said there was "poetic justice" that one of the Asian-American members of the Obama cabinet, Steven Chu, heads the Department of Energy.

In 1999, the then energy secretary, Bill Richardson, accused Taiwanese-born scientist Wen Ho Lee of stealing secrets from Los Alamos National Laboratory -- the birthplace of the atomic bomb -- to give to communist China.

Lee spent nine months in solitary confinement before the government dropped all charges against him other than carelessness with sensitive documents.

To the dismay of some Asian-Americans, Obama initially named Richardson to be commerce secretary. Richardson bowed out due to an unrelated controversy and Obama replaced him with Gary Locke, a Chinese-American.

maine joins the ranks of states with marriage equality

About a quarter to 1p Eastern today, Maine joined Iowa, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Vermont in recognizing the civil right of all persons to marry. Gov. John Baldacci is the first governor to sign a marriage equality bill; Vermont was the first state to legislatively create marriage equality for same sex couples, though by overriding Gov. Jim Douglas's veto.

From the Maine Governor's office (h/t pandagon):

“In the past, I opposed gay marriage while supporting the idea of civil unions,” Governor Baldacci said. “I have come to believe that this is a question of fairness and of equal protection under the law, and that a civil union is not equal to civil marriage.”

“Article I in the Maine Constitution states that ‘no person shall be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law, nor be denied the equal protection of the laws, nor be denied the enjoyment of that person’s civil rights or be discriminated against.’”

“This new law does not force any religion to recognize a marriage that falls outside of its beliefs. It does not require the church to perform any ceremony with which it disagrees. Instead, it reaffirms the separation of Church and State,” Governor Baldacci said.

“It guarantees that Maine citizens will be treated equally under Maine’s civil marriage laws, and that is the responsibility of government.”

Next up, New Hampshire, where a bill has passed both state houses and awaits Gov. John Lynch's signature. New York has a bill passed through the Assembly, but not yet the State Senate, that was introduced by Gov. David Patterson.

visualizing blogs and text

wordle is a cool tool, similar to tag clouds, that allows you to plug in any blog or a block of text and create cool visualizations of major themes. It allows you to "randomize" the style until you find one you like.

Good clean fun.

Here's the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: