The meek shall inherit yadda yadda yadda.

They've got the House, they've got the Senate, they've got governors, they've got two more on the Supreme Court, they lose about as often when they win these state amendments -- and the extreme sacreligious right still can't a ban on gay marriage in the Constitution of the United States. And so, they want to hold a Constitutional Convention and get 34 states to ratify it. James Dobson should really just run for President himself, with Jerry Falwell as Veep. And if they lose, we get to take all their vaults of gold.

Doctors in SD, who would actually know, think the ban on abortion is too restrictive, extreme, and downright maggoty with problems. Of course, we can't trust them because they're trained in this sorta ethics.

If the Concerned Women of America are so concerned about the Pledge of Allegience ... why are they lying about it?

So the Southern Baptist Convention is threatening to take all of their children out of public schools because they're just not as homophobic as they ought to be.... That's nice. Please, by all means, go. But your taxes will continue to benefit the children who are attending the evil public schools. It's your money to waste. Take your blackmail threats and put them where a bright star in the sky doesn't shine on Christmas Eve. Stop pretending that when bigots beat up the less powerful or different that they're the victims of discrimination based on "religious beliefs."

The Chicago Public Library says that about 100 books were destroyed after someone set a fire in the section for gay and lesbian literature.

It happened Tuesday about noon at the John Merlo branch of the public library in the 600 block of West Belmont. Newsradio 780 is told that someone is believed to have set fire to books with a cigarette lighter and that about 90 gay and lesbian books were destroyed, and that about 10 books destroyed in the African American literature section.

I'm so glad we're living in the 1950s.

"Blender" magazine has just turned five years old and the Maxim music spinoff is as loud and obnoxious as ever. It's the music magazine that "Rolling Stone" was in the 1980s. "R.S." is gathering some moss , trying to woo both the "Blender" audience and still keep its relevance to the baby boomers (who were anti-war however many wars ago Vietnam was) with Cindy Sheenan, Michael Moore, and the rapidly-approaching-64 Paul McCartney. But as "Blender" is the Honda Civic to "Rolling Stone's" original Volkswagon Beetle, there is a third vechicle - a figurative Prius Hybrid on the road too. "Paste" magazine hadn't really caught my eye on the shelves of Borders, Albertsons, or Walgreens until the last few issues with a May feature on The Flaming Lips and the new June issue on the "100 Greatest Living Songwriters" (Bob Dylan, is #1, since you asked). Where "Blender" distinguishes itself with a monthly phonebook of reviews and downloading suggestions (keeping tabs more on college rock), and "Rolling Stone" still likes to think of itself as "gonzo" journalism (weighted with classic rock), "Paste" is the "Utne Reader" of music rags.

Their website brags of "thoughtful analysis". It's more a "you know who you'd really like" review from your best friend over lunch as opposed to "here's what's already #1 on the charts." For someone who would spend a few hours at listening stations of B&N or Borders (instead of illegally downloading an entire week's new releases overnight on Napster replacements limewire and bearshare.) All three magazines love hip hop / soul / Zydeco hybrid Gnarls Barkley, with Blender proud of themselves for being in with the in crowd, "Rolling Stone" being proud of themselves for liking the same things "Blender" does, and "Paste" revealing why the collaboration between singer Cee-Lo and DJ/producer Danger Mouse is a great album (thanks to both the Violent Femmes and Al Green).

At $8 an issue on newsstands, it includes a 21 (or more) song sampler CD of everything from indie rock, Triple-A, and Americana, to folk, blues, and jazz. A veritable music lovers' smorgasboard of comfort food, unexpected new tastes, and just desserts.

Gaping void rocks.

Speaking of sexually transmitted diseases...

Analysis shows richer Africans are more likely to have HIV
but
40% in S. Africa think AIDS has already been cured.

"Pat Buchanan is so homophobic that he blames global warming on the AIDS Quilt." -- Dennis Miller

"Wouldn't it be great if you could only get AIDS by giving money to television preachers?" -- Elayne Boosler

So the rhythm method, the only method of birth control approved by the Catholic church may be the worst form of birth control besides thinking of Ann Coulter having sex with Rush Limbaugh.

Philosopher opposes 'rhythm' method'

LONDON, June 13 (UPI) -- A British philosopher at the London School of Economics is drawing criticism from abortion opponents by opposing the "rhythm method," a report says. The New York Times said Luc Bovens argues in the Journal of Medical Ethics that couples who use the rhythm method to avoid pregnancy may be more at risk of producing underdeveloped embryos
The rhythm method refers to the practice of couples preventing pregnancy by avoiding sex during the woman's most fertile time of the month. If this is correct, he writes, "millions of rhythm method cycles per year globally depend for their success on massive embryonic death," the Times said. Bovens asserts that those concerned about early embryonic death should be just as worried about the rhythm method as they would be over other forms of contraception.

Isn't this a gorgeous shot? While 2nd Lady Cheney gets off writing lesbian fiction, it seems Tipper Gore spent a lot of her time around the White House and government globetrotting taking astonighingly beautiful picture after picture. The public can now purchase them from Mitchell Gold one of the most progressive and fashion forward furniture galleries in the US. Adding one to your home not only supports Gore's Climate Project works, but buying anything from MG benefits progressive religion efforts in the heartland via Faith In America.

From Wikipedia:

The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, a widely used manual for diagnosing mental and behavioral disorders, defines antisocial personality disorder as a pervasive pattern of disregard for and violation of the rights of others occurring since age 15, as indicated by three (or more) of the following:

1. failure to conform to social norms with respect to lawful behaviors as indicated by repeatedly performing acts that are grounds for arrest
2. deceitfulness, as indicated by repeated lying, use of aliases, or conning others for personal profit or pleasure
3. impulsivity or failure to plan ahead
4. irritability and aggressiveness, as indicated by repeated physical fights or assaults
5. reckless disregard for safety of self or others
6. consistent irresponsibility, as indicated by repeated failure to sustain steady work or honor financial obligations
7. lack of remorse, as indicated by being indifferent to or rationalizing having hurt, mistreated, or stolen from another

ANN COULTER: 1, 2, 3, 4, 7. (debatable: 5 & 6).
And trust me ... I've known someone like this in person who was 1, 2, 4, and 7. And she was a highly "religious" person.

EDIT: I originally left #2 off the list of Coulterbutes ... until i read of her possible plagiarism.
(You're supposed to reveal where you get your talking points from.)

(6/13/06 - SIOUX FALLS, SD) - After reporters pointed out that wild marijuana, commonly called ditch weed, was growing on the lawn at the federal courthouse in Sioux Falls, the greenery was eliminated.

Stop snickering, Bob Newland...

Let's stop calling the President's visit to Iraq a "surprise." It was a calculated PR move, and given that the man has to travel thousands of miles to find people who actually like him...

First this

Thursday, 8 June 2006, 00:54 GMT 01:54 UK

Drug 'blocks the spread of HIV'

Scientists are developing a new way of tackling HIV, using a drug which blocks the assembly of the virus.

now this:

Monday, 12 June 2006, 22:53 GMT 23:53 UK

Alzheimer's vaccine 'promising'

A potential DNA vaccine for Alzheimer's disease has produced promising results in mice.

Isn't funding of important research super neato keen and wonderful even if you don't agree with who'd get it?

Johnson on legitimately important issues, while Thune has tunnel vision

As directed by Focus on the Family, (in letters "which should represent your viewpoint" whether you actually wrote them or not on the FOF and AFA websites), 2-3 letters to the editor have been dribbling in across the state blasting Senator Tim Johnson for not representing South Dakota by making the "Paris Hilton / Walmart Inheritance Tax" and/or the "Marriage for White Slave Owners Only" his top priorities. Johnson lobbed back with his own column saying he's more concerned with war, gas prices, the private records of Veterans, and health insurance. "It's time to tackle the most difficult problems facing the country. We cannot allow a few heated issues to take us off track. South Dakotans and all of the American people deserve better."

SD's other Thune's contribution to the blogosphere this weekend? A column on how neat choo choo trains are, probably ghostwritten by Jeff Gannon.

Progress meet Regress (if not reccess)

Well, at least one state party around here has some balls.

Minnesota Democrats Add Gay Support To Platform
June 12, 2006 - 1:00 pm ET

(Rochester, Minnesota) Minnesota's wing of the Democratic Party - the DFL - overwhelmingly voted to add a plank to the party platform opposing constitutional bans on same-sex marriage.

The party met over the weekend in Rochester. Three-quarters of delegates voted in favor of opposing the amendments.

To add a plank, resolutions needed 60 percent of delegate support.

***BREAKING***
Ellie Schweisow might want to count those chickens before they hatch ... Wondering how the darling of the Extreme Rapid City Right won her race by 174 votes when Stan Adelstein was up by a wide margin early on in the vote counting? Allegedly by paying for it.

According to reports from someone in one of the poorest parts of town, the Schweisow Get Out The Vote team (notably one woman named Donna, middle aged, shoulder length, grayish blond hair) was up on Doug Hamilton's most spectacular slum, Star Villiage not only driving people to the polls (including several intoxicated voters) but paying everyone $5 a head once the deed was done.

Here I thought it was a civic duty? All I got was the thrill of making a difference.

Elli Schweisow is the greated thing that could have happened to the South Dakota Republican Party. As the new face that everyone is obsessed with, I just can't wait until she says her first completely batshit insane Ann Coulter foot in mouth comment. (well, aside from her newspaper ad vowing to protect cherished freedoms and not take away anyones civil rights ... well, as NRA members ... If you're a woman or as they say, "a gay" or one of those people of non-rich non- whiteness... best of luck.)

The South Dakota War College blog doesn't get it: "Stan lost one of the
most liberal legislative districts in Rapid City. And not only she still
bashing his opponent, he's bashing his voters for rejecting him."

Let's see if I have this correct: Republican Stan Adelstein lost in a
liberal district against another harder right Republican? Who are the
liberals who got a chance to vote for Stan on their ballots? Put up a
Democrat in that district and watch a bucket of water fall on Margaret
Hamilton...

It's perhaps better for Democrats for a wishy washy Republican to lose
as it makes it easier to monitor the wingnuts on the fringe of the party
who are more likely to frighten the Adelstein voters into giving up on
the Republicans not only for the national party's missteps, corruption,
distractions, poor polling, etc.

That Stan lost when battling "extremists" is not a shock since the
extremists had more of a stake in the result.

And it's not so much a legislative gain for the party as Ellie is the
carbon copy of her galpal Concerned Women For America's Liz Kraus.

Stan's ads were correct about one thing, he was the "real Republican"
and a "Real Conservative" in the race. Ellie is one of the NeoCons of
failed war policy, social engineering, and big government of the Bush
administration.

Stan is perhaps more a Libertarian / Bill Maher Republican concerned
with fiscal health, state business, and changing the status quo rather
than a regressive candidate working to return to an imaginary 1950s that
only existed on TV.

Is it good for Democrats to have Ellie as the new face of the Republican
Party? As beneficial as it is for George W. Bush as president, or the
corrupt Tom Delay or Newt Gingrich leading things in congress. It's
perhaps better news for Bill "insert foot here" Napoli and self-declared
Pope Roger Hunt to be out of the spotlight (and back under their rocks).

Should all Democrats kill themselves because a woman whose broad smile
on the election results cover photo on the Rapid City Weekly News (where
I write) makes Jack Nicholson as the Joker look sane won? No.

The mistake is thinking HB1215 was a one vote battle, which Republican
legislators seemed to assume on both it and the 2005 gay marriage matter
(which they LOST on in 2004 when it failed to exit committee). We win,
you lose and there's nothing you can do about it... oh right, checks and
balances? How dare the public not realize we live in a dictatorship?

What gay marriage (the real first muscle flex of the out of state Focus
on the Family / CWA / Jerry Falwell wingnuts) and abortion are doing is
stoking a new fire in those sick of inaction from the Democratic party.
The women of Democracy in Action kicked serious butt with the SD Healthy
Families coalition. That more Republicans even had challengers in many
districts was a start.

That the Republicans are fighting among themselves over the extremes of
their party while the Democrats are fighting to strengthen their party
even at the cost of wimpy Democrats (who may have voted with the
Republicans on many issues) pushes the teeter totter more toward the
Democrats, kids.

The Marriage Protection Act bombed for Bush in congress as conservatives
realized it was a smokescreen to try and please the Republicans
legitimately upset by big government, a losing war, spy scandal after
spy scandal, torture, lying lobbyists, high gas prices, Medicare mayhem,
and the presidency of a lamer duck than the movie about Howard. The
newly hard right packed Supreme Court refuses to even hear cases of
anti-gay legislation and many abortion related bills.

Were there reasons not to vote for the abortion ban? Absolutely. It's
poorly worded legislation meant purely to raise hell and controversy
that embarrasses South Dakotans as much as the people of Texas (who are
darned likely to elect novelist, folksinger and curmudgeon Kinky
Friedman as their next governor) are embarrassed by hate crimes, energy
corruption and the many corporate execs who aren't Mark Cuban.

Similarly the anti-gay marriage amendment was a completely idiotic
poorly worded bill for any SD legislator to vote for, as its language
banning "quasi-marital" relationships affects renters, non married
elderly couples, cases of domestic abuse where the "wife beater" is not
a "husband" and the issue that died with legislative hoghousing in 2004:
adoption.

Carelessness and zealousness that not only energizes a lazy Democratic
party, but threatens tourism boycotts (see Colorado's Amendment 2 of a
few years back) guarantees million dollar lawsuits taking things to the
Supreme Court, and strengthens the infrastructures of feminist, civil
rights and gay organizations. Perhaps not to the funding and strength of
the well oiled Republican machine of moralists but it's a few opening
bars to a new anthem.

The Dakota War College has the most idiotic premise as to why Stan lost.

"Stan Adelstein lost in a liberal district?" Who are the liberals who got a chance to vote for Stan on their ballots? Put up a Democrat in that district and watch a bucket of water fall on Margaret Hamilton...

It's perhaps better for Democrats for a wishy washy Republican to lose as it makes it easier to monitor the wingnuts on the fringe of the party who are more likely to frighten the Adelstein voters into giving up on the Republicans not only for the national party's missteps, corruption, distractions, poor polling, etc.

That Stan lost when battling "extremists" is not a shock since the extremists had more of a stake in the result.

And it's not so much a legislative gain for the party as Ellie is the carbon copy of her galpal Concerned Women For America's Liz Kraus.

Stan's ads were correct about one thing, he was the "real Republican" and a "Real Conservative" in the race. Ellie is one of the NeoCons of failed war policy, social engineering, and big government of the Bush administration.

Stan is perhaps more a Libertatian / Bill Maher Republican concerned with fiscal health, state business, and changing the status quo rather than a regressive candidate working to return to an imaginary 1950s that only existed on TV.

Is it good for Democrats to have Ellie as the new face of the Republican Party? As beneficial as it is for George W. Bush as president, or the corrupt Tom Delay or Newt Gingrich leading things in congress. It's perhaps better news for Bill (Insert foot here) Napoli and self-declared Pope Roger Hunt to be out of the spotlight.

Should all Democrats kill themselves because a woman whose broad smile on the election results cover photo on the Rapid City Weekly News (where, no conflict of interest, I write) makes Jack Nicholson as the Joker look sane won? No.

The mistake is thinking HB1215 was a one vote battle, which Republican legislators seemed to assume on both it and the 2005 gay marriage matter (which they LOST on in 2004 when it failed to exit committee). We win, you lose and there's nothing you can do about it... oh right, checks and balances? How dare the public not realize we live in a dictatorship?

What gay marriage (the real first muscle flex of the out of state Focus on the Family / CWA / Jerry Falwell wingnuts) and abortion are doing is stoking a new fire in those sick of inaction from the Democratic party. The women of Democracy in Action kicked serious butt with the SD Healthy Families coalition. That more Republicans even had challengers in many districts was a start.

That the Republicans are fighting among themselves over the extremes of their party while the Democrats are fighting to strengthen their party even at the cost of wimpy Democrats (who may have voted with the Republicans on many issues) pushes the teeter totter more toward the Democrats, kids.

The Marriage Protection Act bombed for Bush in congress as conservatives realized it was a smokescreen to try and please the Republicans legitimately upset by big government, a losing war, spy scandal after spy scandal, torture, lying lobbyists, high gas prices, Medicare mayhem, and the presidency of a lamer duck than the movie about Howard. The newly hard right packed Supreme Court refuses to hear cases of anti-gay legislation and many abortion related bills.

Were there reasons not to vote for the abortion ban? Absolutely. It's poorly worded legislation meant purely to raise hell and controversy that embarrasses South Dakotans as much as the people of Texas (who are darned likely to elect novelist, folksinger and curmudgeon Kinky Freidman as their next governor) are embarrassed by hate crimes, energy corruption and the many corporate execs who aren't Mark Cuban.

Similarly the anti-gay marriage amendment was a completely idiotic poorly worded bill for any SD leglislator to vote for as its language banning "quasi-marital" relationships affects renters, nonmarried elderly couples, cases of domestic abuse where the "wifebeater" is not a "husband" and the issue that got it hoghoused in 2004: adoption.

Carelessness and zealousness that not only energizes a lazy Democratic party, but threatens tourism boycotts (see Colorado's Amendment 2 of a few years back) guarantees million dollar lawsuits taking things to the Supreme Court, and strengthens the infrastructures of feminist, civil rights and gay organizations. Perhaps not to the funding and strength of the well oiled Republican machine of moralists but it's a few opening bars to a new anthem.