The 10 U.S. sailors that were held at gunpoint for less than a day, after going into Iranian waters, has been the object of much political debate. However, the ongoing kidnapping of three American security contractors in Baghdad has been met with a wall of silence.
I've said before, on numerous occasions, that I am not particularly religious. But I belong to a community which does not experience wide-ranging acceptance. We are excluded more often than not.
So it should not be a surprise when I highlight any call for us to be welcomed into any community.
Bishop Gene Robinson, who is now a Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, has written and published Transgender Welcome: A Bishop Makes the Case for Affirmation. According to the CAP reuse policy, I may publish Bishop Robinson's document in its entirety if I follow a few rules.
Thisdocument was published by the Center for American Progress
This document is a love letter to the transgender community, both a “thank you” and a “welcome” to transgender people. It comes out of my experience of learning so much—about sexuality, gender, and myself—from transgender people. It springs from my belief that God is enriching the lives of us all by bringing transgender people and their insights into our experience and understandings. This resource is an attempt to recognize transgender people as the gift they are to our understanding of God and God’s love.
God is up to something, as God often is! And this time, it’s personal.
This evening's music features "The Poet of the Blues," Percy Mayfield. Enjoy!
Percy Mayfield - I Don't Want To Be President
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Thursday January 20, 1916
From The Outlook: Speculations on Causes of Youngstown Strike & Riot
From The Outlook of January 19th:
YOUNGSTOWN: THE STRIKE
-----Ohio National Guard on duty in ruins of East Youngstown.
``````````If it is true, and we have not seen it contradicted, that the battle in Youngstown, Ohio, in which several men were shot dead and many others wounded was one between detectives hired by employers, and strikers, and was on the public street, then that fight and those deaths were a disgrace to town, county, and State. Private detectives, hired by one party to a quarrel, are not the guardians of public order; they correspond rather to the paid bravos of mediaeval private war.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/20/1472177/-More-of-the-same-from-...
We get a break from the high school crowd chanting "Omigod Sanders criticized Planned Parenthood!" A lot of people in the comments section reflecting upon their crap experiences with NGOs.
The rise of Sanders and Trump (i.e. political outsiders) has coincided with the rise of self-described "independents".
Occasionally there are reminders of days long past...days that have receded into the fog of my past. A name might pop up here or there...reminding me that we corresponded with each other once upon a long time ago...that one or both of us might have been exploring a new life...or at least the possibility of one. Our names might even have been different then.
This evening's music features early blues guitarist and singer Crying Sam Collins. Enjoy!
Crying Sam Collins - Lonesome Road Blues
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Wednesday January 19, 1916
Chicago, Illinois - Report by George P West Exposes Conditions at Youngstown
From The Day Book of January 18th:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2016/01/18/1471475/-Sanders-needs-to-level...
Francine Russo has a suite of articles about transgender people in the January Scientific American Mind.The focus article is about transgender children: Transgender Kids: What Does It Take to Help Them Thrive?
If you've been paying attention, you might notice a severe disconnect on the part of conservative state and local legislators and the concept of transgender kids thriving.
Studies suggest that 0.3 percent of people in the U.S. feel strongly that their biological sex does not correspond to their gender identity.
Researchers have developed a multipart transition process for young trans people that begins with careful screening, then blockers at the onset of puberty and later cross-sex hormones to allow them to undergo puberty in their affirmed gender, followed by surgery.
Some parents and clinicians are pushing back against the existing guidelines, seeking a more case-by-case approach.
Those on the right consider being transgender to be a moral failing.
This evening's music features Texas barrelhouse blues piano player Robert Shaw. Enjoy!
Robert Shaw - The Cows
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Tuesday January 18, 1916
Chicago, Illinois - Basil Manly Speaks Out Regarding Youngstown Riots
From the Chicago Day Book of January 17, 1916:
The price of Brent crude oil dropped below $28 today, a price that few would have predicted two years ago. While the shake-up in the industry (i.e. defaults and bankruptcies) from these low prices are on everyone's mind, it should be noted that sub-$28 is the price for high-grade crude oil.
The economic crisis in Puerto Rico has reached crisis levels..
