Republicans Propose New DADT Provisions–Liberals Held Hostage

This article originally published as Republicans Propose New DADT, Hold Country Hostage on Technorati by Tim Paynter

The Republican Senate’s “No Vote” pledge is holding DADT and the entire nation hostage pending the granting of unfunded tax and estate benefits to the wealthiest people in the nation.

Even though there were enough votes to pass Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell yesterday, December 9th, 2010, nothing is going to happen until wealthy people line their pockets at the tax payer’s expense.

That is the message the Republican Caucus delivered to Senator Harry Reid, Joe Solmonese of the HRC and those who have worked hard to bring justice to the military.  Lisa Murkowski, (R-Al) and Scott Brown (R-Ma), said they will vote for DADT. But not before congress passes an extension of tax cuts which only benefit the top 2 percent of the people in the United States, a fact well reported on NPR.  Republicans added a little kicker with the estate tax.  There is no benefit to anyone other than the highest fraction of one percent of the nation's wealthiest people.  This provision won't help the average businessman.

Meanwhile, the Republicans scream about a deficit which is so far out of control the nation’s currency, forever the strongest in the word, is no longer accepted by many countries.  The value of the greenback is in question for a country in the process of transferring it's wealth from the poor to the wealthy through the tax base.

Clearly, the Republicans came away from the last election with a mandate: The people want our law makers to help the wealthiest bulge their pockets.  In the process, maybe as a bribe, law makers will leave a little on the table for middle class businessmen, but not in the case of the estate tax which will only benefit the super-rich.

First the hippopotamus satiates his huge belly. The crumbs in the form of social programs, DADT, the Start treaty, the Dream Act, come second, if at all.  The crumbs in the form of the financial welfare of the middle class and poor count for nothing.  A leader sacrifices himself, if for no better reason than to be an example to those who must also suffer.  The sickness of selfishness has soaked the nation's rich to the point in which an over-weight hippo who lacks for nothing, grasps for even more, while trampling on everything that is just.

Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/republicans-propose-new-dadt-hold-country/#ixzz17l7jbiAM

Democrats came away from the last election with a mandate: Take care of the economy, and protect the middle and lower classes from those who wantonly loot the treasury while begrudging the poor anything.

Shortly, both Republicans and Democrats must wrest public benefits away from those who need help the most. They are speaking about raising the age to qualify for social security, severe cuts in health care, closing of schools, removal of the mortgage tax deductions for home owners and a host of other sacrifices under an austerity program which inevitably leads to a significant lower standard of living for most.

As champions of the austerity program, the Republican Caucus exhibits the worst kind of leadership possible. There is a new Don't Ask, Don't tell on the table.  "Don’t look at the millions of tax dollars we are stuffing into our underwear, and we won’t tell you how poor you are becoming."

If we don't give the greediest generation in the history of the nation what they want, there will be no social reform.  If we do cave to unbridled greed, after they belch, perhaps the Republican Caucus will think of businessmen, the unemployed, undocumented students seeking the American Dream, poor people and those who think there should be equality and justice in the military.  I would not hold my breath. 

Read more: http://technorati.com/politics/article/republicans-propose-new-dadt-hold-country/page-2/#ixzz17l84Klfy

Technorati Tags: dadt,dont ask dont tell,republican no vote pact,murkowski,gays in the military,harry reid

A Message From Joe Solmonese

 

Pic from From Ve Ri Tas Harvard

My friends who are working hard on the DADT program were disappointed yesterday when they failed to rally enough votes to advance the legislation, despite having those votes.  Some Republicans with held their votes pending the passage of unfunded tax breaks for the wealthiest people in the nation.  The Republican caucus turned down prior offers to extend tax breaks to the first $250,000 in income.  They insist, in addition to the break millionaires get on the first quarter-mil in income, they had to have unfunded breaks from $250,000 to $1,000,000 in income. 

 

Meanwhile, the entire country waits for greedy people to line their pockets, and who are delaying legislation to the rest of the country including the Dream Act, the Start treaty, and of course, DADT.

 

Here is what Joe has to say:

Dear Tim,

I know you must have been disappointed when you saw my earlier email tonight saying that the U.S. Senate stopped action on "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal, the discriminatory law that bans gays and lesbians from serving openly in the military. This news certainly draws attention to the actions the President can take to end the discharges, and it's important that we continue to urge him to do so. Aside from that, I also wanted to share some late breaking news that keeps congressional repeal as a possibility THIS YEAR.

After the failed vote to bring up the Defense Authorization bill today, two champions for repeal – Senators Joe Lieberman and Susan Collins – announced that they would introduce repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" as a stand-alone piece of legislation. While passing this new bill will be an uphill battle, it is another chance for a durable legislative solution.

Over the past few days we've seen a number of senators speak out for repeal and it's clear that under the right circumstances, we can get above the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster. What got in the way today was procedure.

Thankfully a bipartisan group of senators has committed to finding an alternative method of achieving repeal. We encourage all senators to take up this bill and pass it quickly so that the military has the power to implement a repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

I'll be in touch in the coming days to give you ways to get involved and help pass this stand-alone bill to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." The fight for open service has had many twists and turns but until "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" is left in the dustbin of history we will never give up the fight.
Thank you,

Joe Solmonese

 

CALL YOUR REPUBLICAN SENATOR and tell them to quit playing around with the lives of others while lining their own pockets.  The practice is unconscionable, and represents a ruling class out of touch with reality.  You can make a difference, but you have to be willing to pick up the phone!

 

BuzzNet Tags: dadt,don't ask don't tell,gays in the military,joe solomese,dream act,murkowski,republican no vote pact,dream activist,start treaty

Law may require adult actors to cloak their members === Michael Weinstein of the Aids Healthcare Foundation petitions for wearing condoms in the adult film industry

Condoms may be required for actors in adult films

Erotic Arts Actors may not be allowed to perform naked anymore.  While they may appear without a stitch on, when it comes time to do the deed, they may be required to cover up a bit, they may be required to wear a condom.  That will be the case if the Las Angeles Aids Healthcare Foundation wins passage of a petition they filed with the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board according to the Guardian.co.uk.

Most adult porn actors do what they do best in the au natural. That is the stock in trade for an adult film star. Likely, he is blessed with certain physical attributes. He is probably young, attractive, height-weight proportionate, and he sports a healthy package below the belt.  If he is lucky, he has some acting talent to go along with his physical size and stamina. He gets paid the big bucks to show off what he has.

One of genre that attracts a lot of attention in the adult industry is performing ‘bareback’. The term refers to those who have sex without condoms. Frequently, the practice is used in gay films in which actors engage in anal sex without the protection of the thin sheet of latex that most sane people consider a requisite in safe sex.

"'Bareback sex' is not limited to homosexual films"

“Bareback sex” is not limited to homosexual films, however. So called straight movie goers pay good money to see a flick in which the ‘babe’ takes it from the front and then the back ‘bareback’. The practice is specifically risky to women because of the potential for transfer of bacteria from the anus to the vagina.

Consumers like these films for a variety of reasons. First, of course, there is the view. Nothing impedes it, since one’s 'member' remains un-cloaked throughout the production. There is a certain ‘thrill’ in bareback sex, as well.  The fantasy is, throw caution to the wind, take your chances, you are invincible, maybe someone else will get the dreaded AIDS virus, but not you. Those who are not willing to take the risk in real life enjoy living it vicariously on the silver screen.

Others enjoy watching their actors do it without condoms because they themselves have sex without condoms. They already have the AIDS virus and seek others who are similarly infected.

Believing one is invincible because he or she is HIV positive is foolish thinking.  Most who have the death virus are encouraged to use a condom in their love making practices so they do not come into contact with more virulent strains of the virus and other infectious diseases like Hepatitus.

"Pornography represents a fantasy"

Finally, doing it ‘bareback’ represents the ultimate in the sexual experience. Pornography, as in all cinematic art, represents a fantasy of life. The viewer, at least through film, wants to enjoy the sexual experience to the fullest. Despite modern condom making techniques, many men believe condoms are nothing more than a wet noodle which impede sexual pleasure.

Unfortunately, the “Don’t try this at home, folks” warning falls flat on it’s face when it comes to most theatrical productions, and especially to adult films. If it works for the cat on stage, or for the stud in the bed in this case, then it ought to work for the fellow who is watching the flick, as well.

"An HIV Poz diagnosis means no children"

Not true.  Don't buy it.  The guy who pays his money for the adult DVD does not see what happens to the actors after the director yells 'cut'.  Those who contract AIDS on-screen have the same problems as those who contract it off-screen.  First, there is the panic with the bad news.  Then comes massive doses of prohibitively expensive medications.  The future become uncertain. 

Relationships are changed forever.  Adult film actors and actresses who want the benefit in real life of what they portray on screen are precluded from doing so.  Most HIV poz men and women do not want to pass the ugly disease on to their newborns.  So an HIV positive diagnosis usually means no children.

It is sad to say, the 'bareback' fantasy is being played out in adult dating circles with increasing frequency.  It was once considered taboo as a nation of public health workers and the gay community fought against the the spread of the AIDS virus.  Now, young gay men often advertise for multiple partners 'bareback' in the adult sections of Craigslist.  Others have 'bareback' parties.  Straight couples frequently advertise they are open for 'bareback only'.  They fail to make the leap from fantasy to reality as they watch adult actors engage in risky sexual practices on film.

From our point of view, advocating bare back sex is bad policy on the part of the adult film industry. It promotes risky sexual practices. It places actors and actresses at extreme risk for contracting sexually transmitted diseases, (STD's) some of which are fatal and others which have long lasting consequences.  It promotes the false belief if one has serial converted and is HIV poz, he has nothing to lose.  The reality is, everyone in society loses when STD's are traded.  The disease inevitably will be passed to unsuspecting third parties.

"Most people don't associate sex with pushing up daisies"

If you have AIDS and you engage in sex without telling your partner, you could be in serious trouble.  Passing a deadly disease to an unsuspecting person may result in civil suits and even criminal charges.  One rarely thinks about these things when watching adult films.  But then, most people don't associate sex with pushing up daisies, either.

That is why we encourage the California State Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board to adopt condoms-required standards for actors in the adult film industry. The issue comes in front of the Board today after a petition by The Las Angeles based Aids Healthcare Foundation was filed by the foundation's president, Micheael Weinstein with the California Board in November of 2009.

The petition requests the Board to require:
a.  Actors to wear condoms;
b.  Condom safe water-based lubricants
c.  Make available the Hepatitus B Vaccine
d.  Testing for those exposed to STD's and certain diseases
e.  Training for actors and actresses and others employed in the adult industry.

Laws regulating adult actors and actresses are not new. Currently, adult actors are required to provide test results showing they are HIV negative and free of certain other STD’s before they can do their thing for the camera. The problem is, while the test must be current within 30 days, there are no guarantees. The actors and actresses can easily contract STD’s including AIDS during the 30 days prior to the film shoot.

While it is considered un-professional in the industry to place un-witting co-workers at risk, it is an occupational hazzard. Chris Parry with efilmcritic writes about one AIDS outbreak.  Those who lose the bet will surely regret trading the few dollars they made for stripping down and strutting their stuff when all they needed to do was suit up when they showed up.  Let's hope Weinstein's Aids Healtcare Foundation Petition to the Division of Occupational Safety and Health, also known as DOSH, is a success!