OPINION

From the Desk of Vice President Al Gore:

February 27, 2007

There is no longer a debate about the fact that global warming is real. We're causing it. The consequences are serious, and could be headed towards catastrophe if we dont fix it.

And it's not too late. I don't want to imagine a future in which our children say, What were our parents thinking? Why didn't they wake up when they had a chance? And I know you dont either.

The hundreds of thousands of you who signed messages to Congress showed me what's possible. Working together we can unite millions of people and build support for real action on a scale that has never been seen before.

Help me take the first step and fill up that hearing room with your signatures. That picture alone will send a powerful message.

Can you commit to getting ten more people to send messages to Congress demanding action to stop global warming? Please click here now and act:

<http://www.algore.com/cards.html?sc=M0001>

Im looking forward to working with you on this monumental task.

Thank you,

Al Gore

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 2:43 PM | Permalink | Comments

OPINION

Monday, February 19, 2007

The Human Rights Campaign (Blech)

By: Andrew Sullivan, Editor of The Daily Dish on The Atlantic Online

Gays should not expect any bipartisan attempt at progress for gay couples or people from the Human Rights Campaign, Steve Miller argues.

He's right; and anyone who has followed gay politics for a while knows it. HRC is a patronage wing of the Democratic party, designed primarily to get its members jobs in future Democratic administrations or with Democrats on the Hill (even while Howard Dean treats them like the help). The idea that they would even consider endorsing a pro-gay Republican on a national level is absurd.

I've watched the military battle and the marriage battle for almost two decades now. HRC has been AWOL on both. For much of the 1990s, they were an active force opposing the fight for marriage equality, because the Clintons gave them their marching orders.

The current leadership are Hillary-bots, and if she becomes president, they will go back to their role in the 1990s: as spin-meisters for the Democratic establishment.

If you're for gay rights, do yourself a favor. Give your money to groups that actually care about gay rights. Off the top of my head: Freedom To Marry, the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, Immigration Equality.

If you want to give to HRC, just give it directly to Hillary. It's more efficient.

For all information pertaining to this story please see: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2007/02/the_human_right.html

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 7:52 AM | Permalink | Comments

OPINION

By Chip Arndt
Guest Contributor
February 16, 10:49 am

Tim Hardaway’s comments are indicative of the ongoing, insidious bigotry and deep-seated hatred that still permeates many parts of the United States of America, and not just toward GLBT people. Mr. Hardaway’s comments show us all that deep schisms exist among conceptions of what it means to be a citizen of America, a country that embraces all people from varying backgrounds and beliefs.

The most unfortunate aspect of Mr. Hardaway’s comments is who said them. Mr. Hardaway is a respected citizen and celebrity of Miami, a respected businessman, a five-time NBA All-Star. He makes money off of his appearances and celebrity name and owns two businesses in Miami. Furthermore, Mr. Hardaway has spoken at many schools and has been a role model and hero for many kids and young adults with his on-the-court grit and excellence. He now gives those same kids and young adults the power, excuse and platform, through his words and example, to practice bigotry and oppress a group of people who he chooses to “hate” (his own word).

At the very least, I am glad he was honest about his thoughts, which showed people and our leaders that great work still needs to be done to overcome learned prejudices in order to move our society to become a more open, loving and tolerant place that respects all people for who they are as American citizens and children of God, not denigrating them as pariahs to be cast out of our society.

Chip Arndt
Citizen of Miami, President of Freedom Democrats of Miami Dade
Co-Founder of MerchantAdvantage.com

For all information related to this story please see:
http://www.thetaskforce.org/blog/200700216-chip-arndt-the-harm-of-hardaways-hatred

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 6:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

STATEMENT FROM FREEDOM DEMOCRATS, MIAMI, FL.
Miami Dade Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus

RE: Mr. Tim Hardaway’s Anti-Gay Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Miami, Florida (February 15, 2007) – Freedom Democrats, the Miami Dade Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Democratic Caucus, categorically, and with great concern, denounce the recent comments of Mr. Tim Hardaway. Mr. Hardaway’s insensitive and bigoted comments once again show that many people in the United States have a long way to go before affording the same respect and rights that they expect for themselves.

For those who do not know, Mr. Hardaway was an accomplished professional athlete who is a hero to many people. He retired from the NBA at the end of the 2003 season. He reached 5,000 points and 2,500 assists faster than any NBA player in history, but for the legend Oscar Robertson. He was a five time NBA All-Star, Miami Heat Guard, from 1996-2001, all time assist leader for the Miami Heat and was drafted 14th in the 1989 NBA draft out of the University of Texas, El Paso.

Freedom Democrats respect and embrace the rights of each citizen of the United States of America to free speech. We are also aware of the fact that many citizens unfortunately still cannot live side by side with each other and embrace the uniqueness of each person. We, as an organization that represent the civil and human rights of all people, denounce and hold accountable any person that uses any forum to advance hatred and bigotry to the detriment of other citizens of the United States (See http://www.freedomdems.org/.)

Through his comments, Mr. Hardoway feeds the fires of insidious intolerance that pervades our society. Mr. Hardaway seems to have forgotten the history of struggles so many minorities have suffered through to gain basic human and civil rights throughout the world. Freedom Democrats believes that this type of rhetoric creates an atmosphere and environment that allows for the ongoing harassment of young GLBT peoples in our schools, discrimination in the workplace and in housing, and the lack of laws which would protect the civil and human rights of GLBT peoples throughout Miami-Dade County, Florida, and The United States of America.

Mr. Hardaway is a respected citizen and celebrity of Miami, a respected businessman and a 5 time NBA All Star. He makes money off of his appearances and his celebrity recognition has presumably been good for his two businesses he owns in Miami. Furthermore, Mr. Hardaway has spoken at many schools and has been a role model and hero for many kids and young adults with his on-the-court grit and excellence. He now gives those same kids and young adults the power, excuse, and platform through his words and example, to practice bigotry and oppress a group of people who he chooses to “hate” (his own word).

His remarks show people and our leaders that great work still needs to be done to overcome learned prejudices in order to move our society to a more open, loving, and tolerant place that respects all people for whom they are as American citizens and not pariahs to be cast out of our society.

The Freedom Democrats call on Miami Dade County, and all of those citizens and people who respect and embrace diversity, to not patronize Mr. Hardway’s business at Tim Hardaway US1 Car Wash, 3501 S. Dixie Highway, Miami, Florida, 305-447-9998, until that time that Mr. Hardaway makes a public apology to the citizens of Miami Dade, in a public news conference, for fueling bigotry, hatred and intolerance and engages in practices that would justify any citizen patronizing his business.

*****************************************************************
Chip Arndt
President, Freedom Democrats
Info@FreedomDems.org
305.895.9466 x113

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 10:30 PM | Permalink | Comments

OPINION

From the “Fond Du Lac” paper in Wisconsin:
February 11, 2007

Editor's note: This article is a response to a Web Mail letter published in The Reporter on Jan. 29.

My child is a member of Fond du Lac High School's Gay Straight Alliance. Because of this, I am compelled to respond to a recent guest commentary and to stand up in defense of this student organization.

It is my understanding that the purpose of the Gay Straight Alliance is to promote acceptance and respect among students and to provide a safe school environment for all. Should we as parents find this unacceptable?

I too believe that issues of religion and sexuality are personal matters. I fail to understand the accusation that our public school system is the one that is preaching to our children. I have not experienced anything that resembles religious preaching at Fond du Lac High School.

Mrs. (Mary Fran) Merwin, high school principal, and her staff are excellent educators and wonderful role models for our children. They should be commended more often on their efforts to enforce our school's values, attitudes, expectations of its students and just as important, respect and genuine concern for one another.

In a school of more than 2,000 students, these are the things that make Fond du Lac High School, a success. To accuse them of interpreting the law as they choose and steering our students' religious beliefs is ridiculous. Fond du Lac High School, as with every other public school, is bound by our country's law of separation of church and state, so it is unfair to make such an accusation.

The Gay Straight Alliance is a group of students, both heterosexual and homosexual, who spend their own time, not class time, encouraging acceptance and respect among students and doing all they can to improve their school and community.

Not long ago, this group held a bake sale with all proceeds given to a local charity. I won't presume to guess how other high school students spent their evening last Friday night, but I can tell you where my child was.

He, along with several other members of the Gay Straight Alliance, volunteered their time at Loaves and Fishes. When they arrived, the individual in charge asked if they were there for mandated community service work. When they told him they were not required to do it, but just wanted to, I am told that he was very pleasantly surprised.

Apparently, not many Fond du Lac residents, students or parents, gay or straight, are interested in volunteering for such an important cause.

I am also a Christian and the Lord that I know is loving and accepting of each of us despite our "sins." If God himself had been at the door of St. Paul's Cathedral on that recent Friday night when my son and his peers volunteered, would he have turned them away and condemned them as sinners? I don't believe so.

Julie Becker is from Malone.

All information related to this opinion piece can be found at:
http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070211/FON06/702110511/1346/FONopinion

Posted by Freedom Democrats at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments