Remembering Matthew Shepard

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Thirteen years ago tonight, Matthew Shepard died from a beating at the hands of two homophobes. Although both were convicted and faced the death penalty, it was through the grace of Judy and Dennis Shepard that their lives were spared. Matthew was targeted for this beating because he was gay. He was taken to a desolate spot outside of Laramie, Wyoming, tortured and beaten, and left for dead. When his body was discovered, the person finding him thought he was looking at a scarecrow. On October 28, 2009, President Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Hate Crimes Act, in memory of two victims of hate crimes that were murdered in 1998. For those who think the we've come a long way since Matthew's death, you're wrong. Hate crimes against gays, lesbians, and transgender individuals continue to rise, especially in major metropolitan areas. Just last month, a DC police officers was arrested for assaulting a transgender woman. We must never forget Matthew Shepard, James Byrd, and the hundreds of other victims of hate crimes that have been murdered. Never Again!!!

Cain Leads

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A new Public Policy Polling survey finds Herman Cain leading Mitt Romney in the GOP presidential race nationally, 30% to 22%, with Newt Gingrich at 15% and Rick Perry at 14%. Now, if somehow Cain wins both Iowa and New Hampshire and then South Carolina, he may very well steam roll towards the nomination. I just can't see it. But this little boomlet has been sustained for several weeks now, so maybe, just maybe, Cain is really in this thing.

Wednesday Open Thread [10.12.11]

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NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg doesn't want any tax increases on the wealthy and has been an opponent of the Occupy Wall Street movement...... and Ralph Nader wants him to run for President, a few weeks after praising Sarah Palin's intelligence. Other than Republicans, there is no politician I hate with a blinding passion more than Ralph Nader.

Tom Kovach should stop lying to the people.

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Kovach says he is not a career politician even though he has participated as a candidate in three elections for two offices and preparing to run in another election for another higher office. He has won twice and lost once. Likewise, John Carney has participated as a candidate in four elections for three offices, and we assume he is running for reelection. He has won three times and lost once. They both look like career politicians to me. And only one of them is lying to pretend he is not.

The Loss of a Civil Rights Leader

The gay community lost a hero and leader yesterday with the passing of Dr. Frank Kameny. It was fitting that he passed away on National Coming Out Day. Kameny was the first person to challenge his firing from the Federal government because he was gay in the courts. He was an astronomer with the Department of the Army and was fired in 1957 for being gay. He could have just quietly walked away and found something else to do but he stood and fought, all the way to the Supreme Court. Even though he lost his case, he persevered to fight for what he believed in, equal rights for the gay community.

Rose Izzo is Running.

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And it looks like she has the full support of David Anderson and the teabag idiots downstate. Indeed, Anderson refers to her as the only conservative in the race for the Republican nomination to challenge John Carney. I really wonder what Tom Kovach ever did to the teabaggers. He talks a good game and appeared at all the rallies. I suppose no one from New Castle County is welcome in the Delaware Republican Party when the teabaggers are in control. But then again, as Frank Knotts points out on Delaware Hatred, Sussex County bigots will not like Rose Izzo because she has an accent. A New York accent. And I also think Rose lives in New Castle County.