Give to the Max
08 Nov 2011 3 Comments
Starting at midnight on Wednesday, November 9, local residents will donate online to help raise millions of dollars for local nonprofits as part of the first annual Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington.
• Give to the Max Day is a massive one-day regional online fundraiser that will unite local Maryland, Virginia and Washington, DC communities to support nonprofits serving the area.
• As part of Give to the Max Day: Greater Washington, nonprofits large and small can earn their share of $125,000 in cash awards, including up to $25,000 for nonprofits with the most individual donors and the most money donated.
• Homelessness in Washington, DC, the Nation’s Capitol: there are more than 6,500 homeless men, women and children in Washington, DC on any given night. Of those, nearly 2,000 are chronically homeless–meaning they have been homeless for a year or more, or four or more times in the past three years.• Miriam’s Kitchen provides free, homemade meals and high-quality support services to more than 4,000 homeless men and women each year in the Nation’s Capitol, Washington, DC. Their core programs are meals, case management, Miriam’s Studio, and Miriam’s Cafe.
• Homelessness at Miriam’s Kitchen: on any given day at Miriam’s Kitchen, 82 percent of their guests are chronically homeless. In fact, the average length of homelessness of the guests is 5.5 years
• Nearly 80 percent of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests live on the streets of DC, in parks around the city, under the bridges along the Potomac River, and in emergency shelters.
• Miriam’s Kitchen’s guest demographics: 95 percent of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests are male, 60 percent are African American and the median age of our guests is 50.
• Mental illness and addiction at Miriam’s Kitchen: Many of Miriam’s Kitchen’s guests suffer from severe mental illnesses and addictions, making them the most fragile and hardest to connect with social services.
Homelessness in America
• There are 671,859 people experiencing homelessness on any given night in the United States - roughly 22 of every 10,000 people are homeless
• 18 percent (124,000) experience chronic homelessness in the United States:Chronic homelessness is often the public face of homelessness, involving either long-term and/or repeated bouts of homelessness coupled with some sort of disability (physical or mental). People experiencing chronic homelessness often end up living in shelters and consume a plurality of the homeless assistance system’s resources
• 37 percent of the homeless population are people in families: Families become homeless as a result of some unforeseen financial crisis – a medical emergency, a car accident, a death in the family – that prevents them from being able to hold on to housing. An estimated 85,000 families experience homelessness each night.
• 50,000 young people are homeless long-term: Young people often become homeless due to some familial disruption, including divorce, neglect, or abuse. An estimated 50,000 youth experience long-term homelessness.
• 20 percent of the homeless population is made up of veterans: There are approximately 131,000 homeless veterans, accounting for 20 percent of the entire homeless population. Veterans often become homeless due to war-related disability. For a variety of reasons – physical disability, mental anguish, post-traumatic stress, etc. – many veterans find difficulty readjusting to civilian life.
• Non-chronic single adults: Survivors of domestic violence and former prisoners re-entering society are among the other groups of people that often experience homelessness
• Lack of affordable housing leads to homelessness: Homelessness occurs when people or households are unable to acquire and/or maintain housing they can afford. The main reason behind this inability to acquire/maintain housing is the scarcity of affordable housing in the United States – particularly in more urban areas where homelessness is more prevalent.
Miriam’s Kitchen
Miriam’s Kitchen was founded in 1983 by a collaboration of The George Washington University Hillel Student Association, Western Presbyterian Church and United Church in response to an urgent need for services for the homeless in Washington, DC.
Miriam’s Kitchen’s mission is to provide individualized services that address the causes and consequences of homelessness in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, both directly and through facilitating connections in Washington, DC.
Miriam’s Kitchen provides free, homemade meals and high-quality support services to more than 4,000 homeless men and women each year through our core programs: Meals, Case Management, Miriam’s Studio, and Miriam’s Cafe.
My Beautiful
13 Jul 2010 1 Comment
Lately, I’ve been working downtown and by downtown I mean Chinatown. I even have to drive through Dupont Circle to get to work and I don’t like driving through Dupont Circle.
I was nervous to drive Dupont Circle but now I’m just irritated at the people in my way. I’ve noticed the words coming outta my mouth while driving in D.C seems to go something like this: “Go… go…go…go…Green means go… GO! GO! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY JUST MOVE!
Seems the cars don’t move but the pedestrians do. The pedestrians are always going even when they aren’t supposed to. The sign says do not walk but they just keep on going and don’t notice the cars. Oh and then there are the people on bikes. They stop for nothing. Not red lights and not for cars. They weave in and out of stopped traffic and seem to land just in front of me and then have a hard time starting. My favorites are the bicyclist without helmets and wearing ear phones.
I prefer my drive home because I’ve found a way that skips Dupont Circle and it seems to roll, except today. Traffic really sucked and I swear I’ll never leave that late again but there was my interaction with a parking attendant that tickled me and made my traffic laden drive home much easier.
As I was leaving the parking lot there is often an older gentleman reminding everyone in line that it’s cash only. They do anything to speed it up to get us out and I guess many have to go park and find cash to get out of the lot. So this wasn’t the first time I saw him but when I do I hold up my cash and show him I’m on board.
Today started a typical hi how are you banter and short discussion on the weather and the heat until he said something I didn’t understand. I told him I didn’t understand and he said, “Amharic?”
So I said, “Oh! Yene Konjo!”
You should have seen the look on his face as he said, “Oh you must be single! I want to know who said this to you!”
I told him I knew a few words and gave a few more examples. He told me he could teach me more words.
He followed me up to the booth and after I paid he was standing there, on the other side, with his hands clasped high together in the air as he hollered, “SEE YOU TOMORROW!”
Oh and Yene Konjo means “My Beautiful”
Póg mo thóin!
08 Mar 2010 Leave a Comment
The lineup has been finalized!
Tickets are selling fast and the prices are increasing. VIP tickets are only $79.99 right now and will be $120 soon. That is cheap for all you can drink… ALL DAY! Plus cleaner, NICER bathrooms.
Fer the love of St. Paddy… If yer gonna buy a ticket do it NOW!!!!! Tickets
Póg mo thóin! = Kiss my Ass!
SOB
12 Feb 2010 Leave a Comment
Shit of a Blizzard!
Snowmageddon
SnOMG!
Flake -A-Palooza
SnowDeath
Snowpocalypse.
The names go on and on.
It wasn’t til the second storm on Tuesday morning that I stood at my back door looking outside and thought “Apocalypse” then realized how fitting Snowpaclopyse really was.
A week stuck in the house with a teenager while trying to work and I must admit a bit O da PMS at work made for disaster. Ok ok I know it could have been worse and when I heard Mini Red trying to talk down a friend of hers dealing with a similar situation I knew we weren’t alone.
I was praying for the weather men to get it all wrong but Tuesday morning I ran out while I could. Where did I go? The grocery store! Oh for the luv that was horrible. Luckily, I got a FANTASTIC spot underground and believe me I was thanking the snowy heavens for that.
As I walked in I braced myself. I had come this far I better follow through so I took a deep breath and approached it with the best attitude I could. In the store you could tell many were working hard to keep calm as the store was PACKED. Some old woman was non-stop over the loud speaker telling us fresh bagels were almost done and gonna be coming up the elevator any minute and would we PLEASE buy some bird feed to help those poor little birds throught this storm. Oh an don’t forget to tell everyone else how wonderful the Kensington Safeway is. I got some Jumbo Gulf Shrimp for a steal and when I got in line sent Mini Red for coffee at Starbucks. I couldn’t help but feel like I was forgetting something but chalked it up to the panick in the air and stood my ground.
We stopped by the folks afterwards and I was able to finally get the picture frame with all the pics working. Mom and I were mexmerized watching all the pics and ends up Dad was the same way when he got home.
I woke Wednesday morning to the sound of some snow melting off the roof but when I looked outside it was pure white. We had been upgraded to a Blizzard warning. Come On People this is DC there aren’t blizzards here! Ummmm Yeup it’s Snowmagegddon of a different kind.
The wind was crazy and I headed out to shovel around 3:30pm. This was to be the fifth time shoveling in five days. I did my front walk then approached the public sidewalk and headed up in front of the neighbors and started working on her walk. I had to take my time because my back was so incredibly sore from the previous days. Even though I was sore I had a hard time stopping I knew it was best to get as much shoveled now rather than later when it was ice..
After shoveling I showered and Mini Red and I headed to the Folks cause it was Dad’s birthday. We had fun walking over there and didn’t see many cars. The Folks seemed very excited to see us and I have to admit I loved it when Mom was nearly begging us to stay the night. We popped open some wine and watched the Caps come to the end of that fabulous winning streak. But not before we notice Pepco out on the back street where my Aunt lived. Mom was hollering out the back window at them like some redneck, “Ya’ll from Pepco?”. Mini Red and I were sent on a mission through the back yard and 3.5 feet of snow over the mound of snow out the back gate to then connect with the dudes from Pepco. I was so glad I hadn’t run that day (treadmill) or I would have never made it. I had to push Mini Red over the snow mound. We were soaked but we reached the Pepco dudes. They promised they weren’t leaving until my Aunt and her neighbors had power. My Aunt had been without power for 5 days and it took them all of maybe 30 minutes to get the power on again. Those boys must have been incredibly busy. So we trekked back through that tundra of a back yard and changed into the dry clothes we brought.
The walk home was actually kind of fun. There was a group of boys and I knew Mini Red was terrified I would say something to them but one was wearing trash bags as boots and I had to comment “Like your boots!”. They all got a giggle out of it and thankfully Mini Red wasn’t mad. Hey I’m a Mom I gotta embarass her.
Thursday Mini Red headed off to meet friends, and a coach , for a snowball fight. I love this girl but I was tickled to have some time to myself to work and shovel.
During this week I was a bit thankful for the snow because it saved me money. I know the Government is paying out the nose for all this but it saved my bank account except for that day at the store and today.
Today I took some time off work and dropped Mini Red off to see her friend who is moving to Florida today. I then went to Monkey Mall. Oh what fun! I made friends and shopped and I’m not much of a shopper but I was very happy to be out and I chatted with everyone. Sure glad Mini Red wasn’t with me she would have been embarassed.
I guess it didn’t save me that much but at least held me off until payday… today.
This snow is incredible and I am hearing from friends all over. You can’t help but take pictures but the pictures can’t seem to capture it all. I have run out of places to put the snow but I’ m praying hard that I won’t have to shovel anymore.
Gawd I can’t wait til summer!
Reds Rock the Derby
29 Nov 2009 2 Comments
in D.C., fight, fun, girlie, Mini Red
Yesterday Mini Red and I decided to do something a bit different… We went to the Roller Derby to see the DC Roller Girls.
We had a blast!
We got there fairly early and it’s a good thing if you want a good seat in the bleachers. Otherwise you can sit on the floor on the edge of the flat track but you have to be 18 to be in the front row since a player could be thrown into you. The crowd was minimal but it was a very eclectic group and fun to watch. I thought DC Roller Girls was a team but it consists of several teams for the DC area. A woman with the group in front of us was explaining how the derby works and how points are accrued.
I decided to go check a few things out and found myself at the t-shirt stand. I asked the tattooed girl behind the counter how many teams DC had and who was playing today. She told me DC has the Cherry Blossom Bombshells, DC Demon Cats and Scare Force One. On this night Scare Force One would play against a Philadelphia Team named the Heavy Metal Hookers but the main event was the Cherry Blossom Bombshells vs the DC Demon Cats. She told me if I had any more questions to just stop any of the players mulling around.
When I got back to the seats Mini Red and I shared information we had each gotten. She had been listening in on the rules of the game while I shared the information I had gotten. We noticed a player from the Bombshells handing out stickers. I wanted to meet this player and get a sticker for Mini Red but Mini Red was hesitant, feeling intimidated by her surroundings and wanted to stay in her seat. I urged her to come with me because I knew she would feel regret later if she didn’t. She hesitantly agreed but was soon excited to meet, the incredibly nice, Dr. Drea who we even got a picture with.
Roller Derby has an air of violence or so we have been led to believe but to meet these women and watch the game it isn’t like that at all. Of course there is pushing and shoving out there but it isn’t like that in reality at least not in the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA).
Wikipedia states:
“Nearly all contemporary roller derby leagues are all-female and self-organized, and were formed in an indie, DIY spirit by relatively new roller derby enthusiasts. These leagues deploy traditional quad roller skates, and a punk aesthetic and/or ethic is often prominent. Many, if not most, are legally incorporated as limited liability companies, and a few are non-profit organizations. Most compete on flat tracks. Only 4 compete on banked tracks.Most players in these leagues skate under aliases, many of which are creative examples of word play with satirical, mock-violent or sexual puns, alliteration, and allusions to pop culture. Examples include Sandra Day O’Clobber (Sandra Day O’Connor), Scariett Tubman (Harriett Tubman), Skid’n Nancy (Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen), Goldie Knoxx (Goldilocks, Fort Knox), and Anna Mosity (animosity). Some players claim their names represent alter egos which they adopt whilst skating. By the 2009 season, however, a small number of players on at least three leagues had started skating under their real names.
The names of the bouts themselves are typically as sardonic and convoluted — for example, Nightmare on Hull Street (Nightmare on Elm St.), Seasons Beatings, (Seasons Greetings), Night of the Rolling Dead (Night of the Living Dead); Spanksgiving (Thanksgiving), Grandma Got Run Over By a Rollergirl (Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer), Skate & Destroy Her, Cupid’s Quarrel, Shamrock and Roll, Pushin’ Daisies, Cinco de May-hem (Cinco de Mayo), and War of the Wheels (War of the Worlds).
The camp can extend to players’ uniforms as well. Costumes are often inspired by or comparable with rockabilly or burlesque fashions, and tattoos and tutus are commonly in evidence. In some roller derby leagues, showy on-track behavior, half-time entertainment and randomly selected “penalty games” emphasize the “entertainment” in sports entertainment. The extent to which such non-athletic stylizations are embraced varies from league to league, and continues to be a source of some contention.Inasmuch as roller derby is a contact sport, the risk of injury is non-trivial. Injuries range from common bruises and sprains to broken bones and beyond. As is the case with many sporting events and other large public gatherings, many modern roller derby games are required to be played with EMTs on hand. Some leagues prominently display their injuries, and safety and injuries are a perennial topic on skating blogs and other forums.
Although the 2000s revival of roller derby was initially all-female, some leagues later introduced all-male teams, and co-ed games.”
The Rules (Thanks to Wikipedia):
“Most current roller derby leagues use rules developed by the Women’s Flat Track Derby Association (WFTDA). A summary of the WFTDA rules follows:Roller derby takes place on a circuit track. Offense and defense are played simultaneously. The two teams playing send five players each onto the track — three blockers (defense), one pivot (last line of defense) and one jammer (scorer). Helmet covers are used to display the players’ positions: a striped cover is used for pivots, a cover with two stars is used for jammers, and no cover is used for blockers.
Pivots and blockers from both teams start the game by forming a single pack. In a pack, all players face counterclockwise. The pivots line up next to each other, followed by a layer of four blockers, followed by a layer of two blockers. The two jammers, who are not considered to be part of the pack, are positioned 20 feet behind the pack. At this point, no differentiation need be made between the two teams; as long as the pack formation is as described above, it does not matter if the team members are interspersed randomly in the pack.
The referee signals the start of jam formation by blowing a whistle. During jam formation, the entire pack moves counterclockwise, during which time players can change position. All pivots/blockers must remain in the pack (i.e., no more than 20 feet in front of or behind the largest group containing blockers from both teams). Jammers remain stationary during jam formation. When the last person in the pack has passed where the front of the pack was initially lined up, the referee blows the whistle twice, signaling the jammers to take off, and play begins in earnest with a jam.
A jam is a 2-minute countdown period during which both teams attempt to score points. Points can only be scored by the jammers, who, moving counter-clockwise, attempt to pass the pack and lap around as many times as possible. After passing the pack the first time, jammers earn one point each time they legally pass an opposing blocker/pivot. During a jam, all pivots/blockers must remain in the pack. Pivot/blockers attempt to assist their jammer through and out of the pack while simultaneously stopping the opposing jammer from exiting the pack. If a pivot/blocker falls or otherwise becomes separated from the pack, she is out of play (i.e., cannot block or assist the jammers) until she catches up to the pack.
The first jammer to legally pass all pivots and blockers once the jam begins wins the status of lead jammer for the remainder of the jam. The lead jammer can decide to end the jam at any time before the 2 minutes are up. She does this by placing her hands on her hips repeatedly, which signals the referee to officially call off the jam.
After a lead jammer has been established, both jammers have the option of passing their positions to their teams’ respective pivots (passing the star). This is done by removing the 2-star helmet cover and handing it to the pivot. The pivot then becomes the jammer, and the jammer becomes the pivot for the remainder of the jam. If the original jammer was the lead jammer, the position of lead jammer is not passed on; the position is forfeited for the remainder of the jam.
To impede the progress of the opposing team’s jammer, players may block using body parts above the mid-thigh, excluding forearms, hands, and head. Elbows may not be used in blocking, and cannot be swung at other players or used to hook an opponent’s or teammate’s arm.Each game consists of two 30-minute or three 20-minute periods. At the end of each jam, players re-form the pack and continue play.
Penalties are given to skaters who block illegally, fight or behave in an unsporting manner, or otherwise break the rules. Possible penalties include sending players to a penalty box (during which time opposing jammers score for opposing skaters in the penalty box when they score their first point in each pass) and expulsion of players. A skater goes to the penalty box for 1 minute immediately upon incurring a major penalty, or after accumulating 4 minor penalties.”
Mini Red picked up on everything about this game pretty darn fast. I was a little delayed since my ADD had me trying to watch too much including the crowd. By the end we were screaming and yelling for the Cherry Blossom Bombshells who lost to the DC Demon Cats by a mere 6 points in the last round.
As we left Mini Red hugged me and thanked me and said she had a ton of fun and can’t wait to come back. She has now added skates, pads and a helmet to her Christmas wish list. Plus she has picked a name for her Roller Derby persona… Ginger Slap!
Floor SeatingRoller Derby is a family affair as seen by Lady M-80, hubby and their sleeping baby
Roller Derby is a family affair as seen by Lady M-80, hubby and their sleeping baby
Whiplash Wendy and Ivana Rock from Philadelphia's, Heavy Metal Hookers watch the Main Event
*UPDATED Pt II* Catholics and the homeless
13 Nov 2009 5 Comments
**Scroll down for updates and opinions added on this topic**
WOW!
Topics like this are something I tend to shy away from but what is going on here is just not right.
I’ve been falling away from the Catholic Church, where I was raised, for years now. Recent events tell me I’m headed in the right direction. I cannot get into to expressing the things that yank my chain with this church and then this!
I’ve taken the basis of my Catholic upbringing and became more of a “Cafeteria” Catholic. You know… Pick and choose. I brought my daughter up in the Catholic Church and sent her through CCD (Catechism classes). I tried to be a good Catholic but a little over a year ago the guilt of missing church went away.
My feelings about the Catholic Church I’ve kept from Aunt Dot. She has gotten grumpier and grumpier as time goes on and I can’t blame her especially since she can’t walk anymore. At least she has stopped asking me about getting an Annulment. Every once-in-a-while she will mention something that is going on. Not to long ago she was telling me something about how the Church was kicking some people out because of a certain issue. Even though I was only on the phone when she told me about this I could almost see her among the Catholics with their torches.
Although I don’t agree with the Church on that issue I couldn’t help but ask her, “Why not just envelop these people with love and help them understand?”
She yelled, “NO!”
I was a bit taken aback, “You can’t help them understand by loving them???”
“No! That’s not what Father says!”
“So you just oust them?”
“Yes.”
There was no use in talking to her, it was useless. As if she was in a cult and couldn’t think for herself. I won’t ever try and talk to her about any issues again.
I told Mini Red about this current issue and what the Catholic Church is doing. I try and answer any questions she has and let her make her own decision on topics. It’s kinda interesting to watch really.
She was outraged.
She was so outraged that she Facebooked it.
Oh boy… Here comes another life lesson. A lesson on Politics and Religion among your peers in an open forum.
Here’s what happened:
Mini Red Facebook status: Did u hear that the church says that if D.C. lifts the law on Gay marraige they will no longer help with the homeless in D.C. Doesnt really seem Godly to stop helping others because u wanna just be a stuck up little BIshop (yes i did mean bitch)
Boy 1: i actually support the church on this one, gay marriage is wrongBoy 2: Well Boy 1 You are wrong in the fact that You do not chose to be gay or straight but it is in your genetics. So when you say wrong what are you saying, there made wrong, Well if they were ask god. If he wanted people that way he would have them that way. The Church is Fucked up
Boy 3: fuck u Boy 1 there people just because u case a fucking republican douche bag doesnt mean u should hate gays
Boy 1: im like anti republican…. wat r u talking about… gays dont deserve rights.
Boy 3: douchebag u think woman shouldent ether wtf asshole
Boy 1: ur an asshole, shut up faggot
Boy 3: im an ass hole but i dont want to oppress gay people
Girl 1: Boy 1, get a life. I support gay marriage! And Boy 1…you may end up being one…
Boy 3: i agree with Girl 1
Girl 1: ^-^
Boy 3: she agrees with Girl 1 too
Girl 1: dude u fail …that was me
Boy 3: i know
Girl 1: then why did you say she agrees with Girl 1 too? lol
Boy 3: because im like that
Girl 1: BOY 3
Boy 1: Excuse me? You guys are all retarded
Boy 3: no just not fucking oppressive
Boy 1: —-No rights for gay people—-
Boy 3: no rights for statists
Boy 1: i have no idea what that means
Girl 1: You are fucking retarded Boy 1…you should go to hell and live there…there may be a place for you.
Boy 1: u no what fine be like that Girl 1, fuck you, fuck you all
Boy 3: because u r one
Girl 1: Hey Boy 1 if you dnt support gay marriage then leave this status alone…its for people who support gay marriage…so fuck off and burn.
Boy 3: DIE FAKE EMO DIE
Girl 1: I agree with Boy 3
Boy 3: DIE BOY 1
Boy 1: DIE ALL OF U!!!! BOY 3 UR A FAG! GIRL 1 YOUR A BITCH! NOW BURN
Boy 3: FUCK U BUSHES BITCH
Boy 1: I FUCKING HATE BUSH YOU RETARD
Boy 3: BULL SHIT
Boy 1: I HATE BUSH, REPUBLICANS, MORMONS, AND GAYS
Girl 1: This is pointless Boy 3
Boy 3: BOY 1 THAT MAKES U A RETARD AND UR LIEING TO YOUR SELF SO DIE
Boy 1: burn in hell Boy 3, just like you can support gay rights, i can oppose gay rights
Girl 1: Fuck this.
Boy 3: ya really im done dude
Boy 1: me too
Boy 4: FUK U BOY 1 U CANT BE HATING ON MORMONS…..IM GONNA FUK U UP TOMORO >:(
Boy 3: ill help
Girl 1: @Boy 4: LMAO
Mini Red turned to me last night and her face was red. She was so mad at Boy 1. There was so much she wanted to say.
I just put my hand on her shoulder and said, “You can’t change people. You can discuss calmly, if possible. More often than not you have agree to disagree. This conversation on your Facebook is not calm at all. Think very carefully before you put a topic such as this out in an open forum again.”
Personally I had a mix of emotions reading what these teenagers had to say. It’s amazing to see them all become aware of the world around them and develop their own opinions. It’s also interesting how they handle it but violence is not the way.
So Mini Red defriended Boy 1.
****UPDATED with a very valid response****
From Will:
“I agree with the Archdiocese”
You know Red, I find it interesting that you brought this comment up. As you say that you usually shy away from these sorts of things, I think it is something that should be brought up.
I for one support the Archdiocese for its decision. At first glance, I was appalled. But as I really read and dug into the article I found that the Church has no other option than to severe its contract with the city.
If you read it closely, the D.C. City council is “not requiring religious organizations to perform or make space available for same-sex weddings. But [that] they would have to obey city laws prohibiting discrimination against gay men and lesbians.”
The problem is Red, the D.C. City Council is making a religious organization do something in which a religious organization does not believe in. As well, they would be required to offer, as the article quotes, “employee benefits to same-sex married couples”. This would mean that the Catholic Church would be required to acknowledge same sex marriage.
Which please do note, the article stated in quotations what is above…which means, the church does hire homosexuals and allows them into church. I guess its more tolerant than previously thought!
So if I’m the Archdiocese and I see this, I’m saying…we cannot agree to this…this is against some of our core beliefs! I mean, if we have a contract with the city as a social concerns program, we can’t keep our contract with the city or we would be breaking the law. I think we’re going to have to stop all of our social concerns contracts with the city.
Whats stunning to me is that the District is trying to put a law out that would make it illegal for my church to respectfully decline a same sex marriage because my church doesn’t recognize same sex marriage. Thats telling a religious organization what to do. Many are against the mixing of church and state, yet a government can now tell a religious organization what it can and can’t do….that is what is appalling.
They even voted against a referendum, which the Church supported, that would allow individuals, based on their religious beliefs, to decline to provide services for same-sex marriages.
Now, the church isnt saying that its not going to shelter the homeless, its not saying that they won’t do their duties of stewardship. What it IS saying is that based on this law…we can no longer have a contract with you as a social concerns organization. Sadly, yes, provisions for the homeless will be lessened and not as readily available as before…but not because the Church will no longer spend money on the homeless. While the Church was apart of the social concerns program for the city, the Church used $10 million of its own money for social concerns programs….The D.C.government, $8.2 million…not even half. The Church will do what it always has done for the homeless. However it will not use the aid from the City to do it since it cannot follow its new law.
Yes, some of the homeless might suffer, but not because of the Church. The Church has certain values which will not change and they have been this way for thousands of years.
The D.C. government is the one that is alienating certain religious groups based on this law. Yes, it is not saying that the Church has to perform same sex weddings; however, they must follow the law against discrimination against gays and lesbians…Thats stupid. Were not really going to make you do this, but if you don’t its against the law!Thats like 2 people having this conversation:
Girl #1: “I want you to prove your love to me by holding me tight in your arms.
Boy #1: Ok, so I’ll use my arms.
Girl #1: Well, im not saying you can’t use your arms, but you can’t use any of your limbs to do it.
Boy #1: So, can I use my legs?!
Girl #1: Well, I’m not saying that you can’t use your legs, but legs fall under the catergory of limbs…better yet, you really can’t do by touching me at all!Its like talking to a wall!
(I think I got that conversation from one of the conversations with one of my ex’s)
If the law passes, there is no way out for the Church other than to cut off ties with the City and continue its service to the community on its own.
Don’t damn the Church, its the government forcing the Church to separate itself.
****Another valid response****
From Stephanie:
William, while your argument is well thought out and articulated I believe it misses the point that part of a government’s job is to promote social change and justice. If an organization cannot accept an edict because of ‘religious beliefs’ then it should not get government money for its services. 50 years ago a church could have used the same excuse because of inter-racial marriage or woman working or voting or desegration of schools, etc. Would you have a problem then with the Church’s position? Realize many of these things would not be accepted as social norms had the government not helped force the issue. If the National Guard had not shown up to escort Vivian Malone and James Hood past Gov. Wallace and AL state troopers at University of AL do you think they would have ever made it in?
If an organization (whether commericial, public or religious) hires a person and does not offer it the same benefits as others then it is discrimination no matter how you frame it.
Discrimination should NOT be tolerated. Not in the “Land of the Free”.
The Cheater
27 Aug 2009 Leave a Comment
Have you heard about this guy?
**Photo courtesy of nextround.net
He’s at an intersetion in Tyson Corner and has been there four days in a row now with one more to go. He cheated on his wife and this is is punishment and there’s no guarantee she will take him back.
It’s amazing the coverge this has gotten:
Nextround.net calls him a “scrotumless bastard” but he calls himself William Taylor, which is not his real name.
The most information has come from The Kane Show, on Hot 99.5 here in DC. Kane interviewed the man and his wife. To listen to the entire podcast from his site or this link: Cheater podcast.
The wife, Karen, isn’t happy with all the publicity but William is posing for pics with passersby. I’m curious to see if she has him out there again tomorrow.
Touchy subject but…
29 Jul 2009 3 Comments
Did anyone else see the Pro-Lifers on Connecticut Avenue, Maryland side of Chevy Chase Circle, yesterday during rush hour?
I haven’t been able to find out much information on this protest, primarily why they chose this location. I’m surprised WaPo doesn’t have an article on this but then again it’s a touchy subject and many tend to ignore the issue alltogether. Note: I’m not stating my opinion on this topic either. I will keep my asshole opinion to myself.
This location is on a part of Connecticut Avenue that squeezes three lanes in where it should just be two. One wrong move and somebody gets hit (experienced that a few years ago). Then with the protesters out there traffic became chaotic, “Honk for life”. I was surprised I didn’t hear anyone honking I felt like just ducking and get past it all as fast as I could. A friend, who also drove through this, said it was crazy loud and a lot of honking when she passed.
The pictures they had of dead aborted babies were HUGE and became overwhelming since there were so many between the Circle and Bradley Blvd. By the time I got past the chaos it definitely had an affect on me and I had to turn the air up. I’m sure it didn’t help that there was a tractor trailer next to me and I thought for sure he would rip me to shreds since he was so close.
See how close the truck is.
