A group of students at Princeton University would like to eliminate the right of freshmen to walk on campus sidewalks. Stating that they would like to "preserve traditional sidewalk values" that define a sidewalk as a "pathway for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community," the group, which is acting in support of a measure termed "Princeton Proposition 8," is now entering its second successful week of demonstration.

The students emphasize that they are not "froshophobic" and that some of their best friends are freshmen, but they maintain that freshmen on the sidewalk degrade the sacred institution of sidewalks, and jeopardize the validity of upperclassmen's own perambulation. It also makes some of them uncomfortable. They are very excited that California's Proposition 8 has set a clear precedent for a majority to eliminate a minority group's civil rights, and they see it as a perfect opportunity to utilize this development for their own gain.

The demonstration, which has featured signs, chants, and original music, has collected almost 500 signatures for a petition in support of Princeton Proposition 8, including those of many professors and even University President Shirley M. Tilghman. A video report of the protest produced by the University's 'Daily Princetonian' has received 21,000 views on YouTube in just two days. It has also been featured on dozens of regional and national blogs including Campus Progress Action's Pushback, DailyKos, and Andrew Sullivan's Daily Dish. The organizers of the demonstration have also begun outreach to other universities.

The demonstration will continue at the plaza in front of Firestone Library on the Princeton campus between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Monday 11/24 and Tuesday 11/25.

The Princeton Proposition 8 campaign aims to secure the definition of Princeton University sidewalks as a means of pedestrian transit for sophomores, juniors, seniors, graduate students, faculty, staff, and other members of the university community, but supports the elimination of the right of freshmen to walk on sidewalks.

Only walking on sidewalks by sophomores, juniors, and senior students is valid or recognized at Princeton.

###

Contact: Christopher Simpson
cjsimpso@princeton.edu

"Marriage in general, whether same-sex or opposite-sex, is a legal contract. It’s neither bad nor good for society. It’s value-neutral. Stable, loving families are good for society because (a) they provide a human framework to raise children and to pass on positive values to the next generation, and because (b) they help people manage and negotiate their lives by providing companionship, support, love, and someplace to go for Thanksgiving dinner."

To read the rest of the post go here

64 Ways to Say "I Love You":
Don't compare them to anyone.
Be courteous at all times.
Embrace the present moments without fear or guilt.
Live by the Golden Rule (Do unto others as you would have them do unto you).
Give your full attention when talking.
Become their biggest fan and cheerleader!
Toast each other over breakfast or dinner to say I love you.
Tell them how they bring love to your life.
Laugh about kids quotes on love or events.
Talk about your day during mealtimes.
Read books aloud together.
Say you're sorry.
Recall good and bad memories.
Let go of the past to say I love you.
Do nothing together.
Encourage health in all its forms.
Trust your partner enough to cry together.
Act silly together.
Be lavish in praise.
Ask questions about opinions, feelings, thoughts.
To say I love you, forget about labels.
Encourage adventures and risks!
Show your joy when they come home.
Bake cookies.
Leave stress at work to say I love you.
Use flannel sheets in the winter.
Solve problems together - such as crosswords or Suduku.
Show your gratitude for them.
Be a good sounding board.
To say I love you, take pride in them -- and show it.
Compliment them in front of others.
Spend time with them.
Listen.
Ask for hugs and kisses.
Take vacations together.
Tell the truth to say I love you.
Use pet names to say I love you.
Practice self-acceptance.
Hunt for treasure together.
Be interested in their interests.
To say I love you, let go of jealousy.
Accept their weaknesses and flaws.
Ditch work or responsibilities to play with them.
Be yourself.
Share chocolates, ice cream sundaes, milkshakes.
To say I love you, ignore slights.
Pray or meditate together.
Practice forgiveness.
Watch classic movies together.
Leave notes or send letters.
To say I love you, buy a "for no reason at all" gift.
Don't gossip or judge.
Give the benefit of the doubt to say I love you.
Give space when they're in a bad or sad mood.
Learn something new together.
Go dancing.
Keep your promises to say I love you.
Make them laugh.
Consider their feelings.
Learn 8 ways to rekindle the romance.
Hide a treat in their lunch.
To say I love you, make home a fun place to be.
Let them make their own decisions.
Say what you mean when you say I love you. Say why.
Saying I love you takes work and making your relationship stronger does take work. It's hard to be honest, and it's hard to accept the consequences of your honesty and authenticity. It takes time, energy, and commitment to stay connected through all the problems that life and people bring. It can be painful, aggravating, and scary to stick it out through all the ups and downs....but the alternative is worse.

Do you have anything you would like to add to the list?

Commander in Beef

AND

Out Dumb Blond Society

Chairman Ross Johnson
Fair Political Practices Commission
428 J Street, Suite 800
Sacramento, CA 95814

Attorney General Edmund G. Brown, Jr.
California Department of Justice
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

Attorney General Mark Shurtleff
Office of the Attorney General
Utah State Capitol Complex
350 North State Street Suite 230
SLC UT 84114-2320

Dear Chairman Johnson, Generals Brown & Shurtleff:

Today we filed a formal complaint with the California Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) against the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) aka the Mormon Church of Salt Lake City, Utah for not reporting various non monetary contributions to ProtectMarriage.com – Yes on 8, A Project of California Renewal I.D. # 1302592. The Mormon Church has been highly secretive about its massive involvement in the campaign, but we managed to piece together evidence of some of their more visible activities done directly to communicate with California voters, including:

Church organized phone banks from Utah and Idaho
Sending direct mail to voters
Transported people to California over several weekends
Used the LDS Press Office to send out multiple News Releases to promote their activities to nonmembers
Walked precincts
Ran a speakers bureau
Distributed thousands of lawn signs and other campaign material
Organized a "surge to election day"
Church leaders travel to California
Set up of very elaborate web sites
Produced at least 9 commercials and 4 other video broadcasts all in support of Prop 8
Conducted at least 2 satellite simulcasts over 5 Western states.

All of these unreported contributions by the Mormon Church were on top of its massive fund-raising effort; the largest ever undertaken on a social issue ballot initiative.

Under California Election Law organizations such as the Mormon Church are not required to report activities if they strictly constitute "member communication." We will explain why we feel that the activities of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints went far beyond "member communication," and were instead specifically targeted at California’s 17 million voters. By not reporting any of these non monetary contributions, the Mormon Church violated the Political Reform Act.

The only mention of compliance was a news story stating that the Mormon Church reported a single non monetary contribution of $2078.00 for Church Elder L. Whitney Clayton’s travel expenses for one trip to California. Was there only one trip? Were no other Church officials traveling to California for such an important campaign?

The Mormon Church made the Yes on Prop 8 campaign a national priority beginning on June 20, 2008 when Church President David S. Monson sent his now famous letter to be read in every church building, where he said, "We ask that you do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment (Prop 8) by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman." http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/california-and-same-sex-marriage This was their call to action, and was undoubtedly designed to get members to begin the outreach to nonmembers.

Two other organizations that were also involved in the Yes on Prop 8 campaign, reported substantial non monetary contributions. The National Organization for Marriage of Princeton, New Jersey reported 49 separate non monetary contributions between 02/01/08 and 4/16/08 totaling $210,634,75. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family of Colorado Springs, Colorado reported non monetary contributions between 12/7/07 and 10/15/08 of $83,790.00.

Phone Banks

On October 8, 2008 the Associated Press reported that "Mormons Recruit Out-of-State for Gay Marriage Ban. Mormons living outside California have been asked to volunteer for a telephone campaign to help pass a ballot initiative banning same-sex marriage in the state."

The Mormon Church announced one week before the November 4, 2008 election that it was canceling its phone centers in Utah established to call California voters. Were these in operation before they were canceled? What were the costs of these phone centers? How many calls were made to California voters from these massive call centers?

News reports said that students at BYU – Idaho in Rexford, Idaho were using a call center in that town every Thursday evening to call voters in California. This type of interstate phone network requires a lot of setup, supervision, voter sheets, scripts, training and the price of the calls. Call centers are used to communicate with nonmembers. Phone centers in place to contact nonmembers would constitute a contribution. No contribution was reported.

Gary Lawrence – State LDS Grassroots Director

Veteran political operative Gary Lawrence http://www.zoominfo.com/Search/CompanyDetail.aspx?CompanyID=55969576&cs=QHDVgcoxQ was based in Orange County, California. His title was State LDS Grassroots Director. Lawrence’s mission was to direct all Mormon activities in California (attached). He had a web site set up expressly for this purpose: http://yesonprop8.blogspot.com/2008/08/gary-lawrence-grass-roots-coordinator.html

Gary Lawrence’s operation had a timeline beginning on August 16, 2008 though election day of 12 Saturday precinct walks. All walkers were to be Mormons leading up to the election day surge of 100,000 Mormon volunteers and they went door-to-door to canvass nonmember voters. Was the Church actively involved in this massive recruitment? Here is a copy of the Mormon Organizational memo: http://wikileaks.org/leak/lds-proposition8-notes-2008.pdf

This directive from Church Elders Ballard, Christopheron & Clayton detail Church plans for yard signs, schedule, volunteers, out of state calling teams, speakers bureau and voter registration. More internet communications are available on this site: http://www.p8california.com/Job.html Did the Church participate financially in this massive voter outreach? If so, all of these voter communication activities to nonmembers constitute a contribution. No contribution was reported.

Saturday Rallies

These took place throughout California on the 3 Saturdays prior to the election. Thousands of yellow T-shirt clad Yes on 8 supporters were lined up for miles with signs in targeted areas of the state yelling, chanting and screaming at passing motorists. There were reports that these demonstrators were mostly Mormons, and that many were bussed in from Utah and surrounding states. We have heard that some of the busses had out of state license plates. Who paid for the buses, travel costs, meals and other expenses of all the Mormon participants? No contributions were reported.

Satellite Broadcasts

It appears that the first satellite simulcast was on October 8, 2008 and was beamed to 5 Western states. Apostle Robert D. Hales led this broadcast on various aspects of the campaign, including how to deal with the issues and how to conduct yourself. http://www.meridianmagazine.com/churchupdate/081010prop8.html
Another satellite broadcast took place at a later date, and was led by Church Elders M. Russell Ballard, Quentin L. Cook and L. Whitney Clayton. It addressed the Church's doctrine of marriage and participation in the Protect Marriage Coalition. Then the Newsroom of the Mormon Church issued a Press Release (attached) about this broadcast making it available to California voters and anyone with internet access. This video was not password protected and was promoted by the Church and available to nonmembers. Here is the press release about it as well as other Mormon activities: http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/commentary/same-sex-marriage-and-proposition-8 Satellite broadcasts to hundreds of locations are very expensive, and by making it available to nonmembers, it is a contribution. No contribution was reported.

Multimedia Program

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appeared to have done a tremendous amount of work in this area. A very slick web site (attached) http://www.preservingmarriage.org/ was developed specifically for the Yes on Prop 8 campaign. The title is "Preserving the Divine Institution of Marriage." This web site states that it is "An Official Web site of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints" c 2008 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

PreservingMarriage.com is primarily a showcase for 9 separate Yes on Prop 8 commercials that are very professionally produced. They feature mostly young people talking about why same-sex marriage is wrong. There is an email update request box, and another to send feedback. The viewer is encouraged to share this site and "spread the word." Site visits are not limited to just Mormons, and everyone is "invited to share these videos with others." There is even a very prominent "Vote Yes on Prop 8, Support Traditional Marriage" banner on the home page. Certainly this web site was put in place to reach California voters. It is on the internet, and therefore available to all.

This web page on PreservingMarriage.com has 13 very professionally made commercials and videos: http://www.preservingmarriage.org/videos.html .

All of these commercials as well as their web site were clearly designed to communicate with the public. No contribution was reported.

Church Denial

On November 9, 2008 Don Eaton a spokesman for the Mormon Church was quoted on ABC – KGO Television stating, "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints put zero money in this (election)." When I personally spoke with him Monday, November 10, 2008 and asked him if the PreservingMarriage.com web site was sponsored by the Church, he quickly said that it was not, but was "a part of the campaign."

In 1998, the Mormon Church directly contributed $1.1 million to ban same-sex marriages in Alaska and Hawaii, and received widespread criticism for that. So this year in California it appears that the Mormon Church was trying to avoid any direct contributions to Yes on Prop 8, and instead raised millions from its member families. That is legal, but all the money spent to communicate with nonmembers must be reported if it exceed $100. Clearly the Mormon Church has vastly exceeded that threshold.

We ask that the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Attorneys General of California and Utah immediately begin a full and thorough investigation of all campaign related activities undertaken by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City, Utah to determine if there were any reporting violations.

Thank you very much for your prompt attention to this very important matter.

Sincerely,

Fred Karger
Founder / Campaign Manager
Californians Against Hate
http://californiansagainsthate.com/
619-592-2008

Obama thinks he is a good talker, but he is often undisciplined when he speaks. He needs to understand that as President, his words will be scrutinized and will have impact whether he intends it or not. In this regard, President Bush is an excellent model; Obama should take a lesson from his example. Bush never gets sloppy when he is speaking publicly.

He chooses his words with care and precision, which is why his style sometimes seems halting. In the eight years he has been President, it is remarkable how few gaffes or verbal blunders he has committed. If Obama doesn't raise his standards, he will exceed Bush's total before he is inaugurated.

REALLY!?! Are we talking about the same Bush?? What were you're favorite Bushisms?? I will be posting mine in the comments below...

Check it out for yourself:

http://www.superobamaworld.com/

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you....

So I be written in the Book of Love,

I do not care about that Book above.

Erase my name or write it as you will,

So I be written in the Book of Love."

Personally, I have never believed in marriage. Why would I believe in an institution we enter into, planning for it's end, with a 50% chance of survival - and whom not all people in our society can participate in? I joked in the days leading up to the election about how when this proposition did not pass, I would have to find another reason for not wanting to ever get married. But in the back of my head I began to become comfortable with the idea of marriage, to support it, to maybe even desire it. And then, on November 4th my desire was shattered, my comfort was stripped away from me with BARELY even half of voting Californians deciding that my state was going to deny a basic human right to people simply because they were different. My support grew exponentially.

Keith refers to interracial marriages being denied, or even black marriages being denied, back in the darkest days of our history. We refer to those times with disgust and shame - I wonder how our grandchildren will look back and describe November 4th!

Our history is littered with the denials of basic human rights - and people fighting to achieve them. Most notably for me is the woman's suffrage movement, and the ratification of the 19th Amendment to include women in the right to vote - an amendment I thank God for every election day. For it's only been 88 years now that women have been able to vote - and there are people alive today who remember when they could not. Women fought for and won their right to vote in the War of Roses - members of Congress and supporters of suffrage wore yellow roses to show their support, and the opposition wore red roses to show theirs. I would like to take a note from those brave women's hands.

A group of friends any myself have purchased yellow rose rings:

link to picture of rose ring

Which we will wear on our "wedding" fingers in protest of the passing of Proposition 8. It is my way of saying that until EVERYONE can get married - I will not. The religious right won this battle by fooling people into thinking that allowing people to marry would somehow ruin the sanctity of marriage (as if divorce doesn't - don't get me started) - but the sanctity of marriage only continues if we, the people, continue to acknowledge it. I have married friends who have taken black electrical tape, and are taping over their wedding bands to acknowledge the black hole this proposition had turned marriage into. Please join us!

It doesn't matter if you live in California, if you are old enough to vote, or even if you voted Yes and have since changed your mind. This is not about being gay - this is about allowing people to love one another. We have just seen what great things a grass roots movement can do - it can get a inspirational and hope-filled black man elected President - don't let that be our ending point.

As President-elect Obama said in his acceptance speech, "This victory alone is not the change we seek. It is only the chance for us to make that change. And that cannot happen if we go back to the way things were." Let us continue this fight. Together.

"The young women of today - free to study, to speak, to write, to choose their occupation - should remember that every inch of this freedom was bought for them at a great price... the debt that each generation owes to the past, it must pay to the future." ~Abigail Scott Dunaway

I've just signed the ONE Declaration committing myself to help fight the emergency of global AIDS and extreme poverty.

I'm asking you to make that commitment, too, by adding your voice.

I think your name belongs on that declaration, too. You can put it there by visiting:

http://www.one.org/declare/

ONE is a new effort by Americans to rally Americans - one by one. So far, over two million have signed the declaration in support of a historic pact for compassion and justice to help the poorest people of the world.

Together as ONE we can make a difference!

Thanks!

and sign the petition.

Its days like today that I want to pull on a pair of fluffy socks and curl up in an oversized chair with the literary genius of Carrol or Dickens or Bronte. With a warm cup of coffee or tea – the steam slowly rising, warming my face, fogging my glasses. Gripping the large mug with both hands, to keep them warm. As if this drink would fight off the chill that had entered my bones and was encroaching on my soul. The peaceful light of a fire, glowing closely, offering support to the warm cup in this battle of chill. Offering solace, like a good friend, and bringing a serene light to a room from which the sun hid and was filled only with the dark gloom of a cloudy day – spilling in through the large window as if trying to flood the space and drown the occupants. It’s days like today that I want to escape. Escape to a world where pain had a lesson, there was a moral to the story, and happily ever after was a real possibility when melded by an instigator whom needed a world of peace as badly as I did. To hide in an imaginary world, away from the raw emotion that is life.

Books have always been a comfortable escape. And I know I’m batteling a worthy demon when I find myself hiding in the pages of some character’s life – instead of dealing with my own.

I looked outside and wondered if the weather matched my mood – or if my mood matched the weather. And if it really mattered, because felt I had no control over either. Like a bad accessory, both were mine for the day.

I knew he was right. But how could I? Not opening up was how I dealt with life. Maybe that was his point. I was already stopped… mid-stride – and that’s why it hurt so badly. The momentum of going full force ahead and then hitting a brick wall had broken me. It had broken my heart. And I couldn’t pretend anymore that I was whole. I had just tasted what wholeness was really like. And I couldn’t lie to myself anymore.