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Here's the view from Bethesda, Maryland as of 5:45 PM: These are my parking lot in my complex, my flat's entrance along with a shot of my poor pick-up that I'll have to dig out later as in a week or so. Thank God for Metro! Then the entrance to the high-rise building in our complex & finally an abandoned shopping cart in the parking lot to give you reference on snow totals here off River Road in Bethesda. Now, there are places in the DC area that got over two feet or so and some that were less than 7. We got 12 according to the ruler and rather unscientific method I used. I stuck the bloody thing in the snow outside of my front door eh?
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Macky
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Really getting into it |
Location: USA
Registered: November 2008
Messages: 973
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"I stuck the bloody thing in the snow outside of my front door eh?"
You can measure snow that deep with your thing?
Wow!
Have you seen the latest from the US on Uganda?
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/africa/US-Says-Anti-Gay-Law-Would-Harm-Ugandas-Global-Image-79706252.html
"Uganda homosexual death penalty" search yields 186k hits on google tonight, without the quotes. Lemme see if I can kick it up a bit.
Max
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
Ps 133:1 NASB
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Can you send any of that to New Hampshire? This weekend I am
snowboarding on ice. Snow would be so much more preferable. 
Cycling is the one sport where a guy can shave his legs, wear spandex and bright colors, and be accepted.
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Dear Macky,
There was a guy from Uganda on the radio today claiming that in Uganda there are numerous mossionaries from the USA promoting the fundamentalist view that homosexuality merits punishment. He blamed these people for the way the suggested law has caught on.
Does anyone know whether there is any truth in this?
I've discovered that my old school supports a school in Uganda - Equatorial College School. I am writing to find out what their attitude is.
Love,
Anthony
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I wonder if you have been reading the press reports, or my blog? I've tried so hard to show you and everyone.
Fundamentalist christians have viewed Africa as the target for their "godly" work and have been the major influence behind this evil.
Ugandan clergy now want Rick Warren - US Giant Pastor on so many ways - to apologise for changing his mind and condemning the proposed law.
The complaint that NW and I are making against the BBC was over this topic. Yes, even the BBC, Biased Bad and Corrupt, has covered it in some small way.
It has made mainstream news in the USA precisely because these fundamentalist missionaries have been crawling all over Africa like a rash.
Forgive me if I sound a little terse. I have been telling folk here this for quite some time.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Brody's Scribbles... Pastor Rick Warren's Influence Spreads: Rwanda To Vote Next On Criminalizing Homosexuality
By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Dec 16 | As this Op-Ed is being written, the Rwandan Parliament is scheduled today to take up consideration of a change to Rwanda’s penal code which would criminalize homosexuality with a punishment of five to ten years. It would also ban counseling and advocacy that could be interpreted as “encouraging or sensitizing” people to enter into same-sex relationships.
The pertinent section in the penal code is article 217 which states that:
Any person who practices, encourages or sensitizes people of the same sex, to sexual relation or any sexual practice, shall be liable for a term of imprisonment ranging from five (5) to ten (10) years and fine ranging from Two Hundred thousand Rwanda Francs (200.000 RwF) to one million (1,000,000)Rwanda francs.”
[ The fines range from US$350 to US$1750. The average annual Rwandan's income is equivalent to just US$370. ]
That key phrase of the proposed penal code, “encourages or sensitizes,” would have the effect of criminalizing advocacy on behalf of LGBT people. It would also severely impact the ability to deliver health services to LGBT people.
The International Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission reported:
"Article 217 violates Rwandans' basic human rights and is contradictory to the Rwandan Constitution as well as various regional and international conventions. IGLHRC, the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL), and Rwanda's Horizon Community Association (HOCA) will shortly issue a call to action to demand that the Rwandan Parliament withdraw this article. We urge the international community to act against this proposed law and support the equality, dignity, and privacy of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people in Rwanda."
The Horizon Community Association of Rwanda (HOCA) and the Coalition of African Lesbians (CAL) have denounced the bill saying that Rwandan citizens still experience gross violations of human rights.
“Our country and our people refuse to recognize the fact that we exist,” said Naomi Ruzindana, President of HOCA. “As far as they are concerned, there are no lesbians or gays in Rwanda. Well, we are here, we exist. We are ordinary people like everyone and all we want is for our people and our government to recognize our existence and the fact that it is our basic human right to live our lives the way that we want and choose.”
Now guess who's been a frequent visitor? Yup, you guessed it. Saddleback Church Pastor Rick Warren. Worse? Here's a picture of the good pastor with none other than the President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, and my oh my, doesn't that pose look real comfy?
After a huge public out-cry and intensive Internet campaign, Warren was forced to condemn the Ugandan proposal to further criminalize homosexuality stating that:
“I oppose the criminalization of homosexuality. The freedom to make moral choices is endowed by God. Since God gives us that freedom, we must protect it for all, even when we disagree with their choices.”
He then noted that:
"While we have just begun to train pastors in Uganda, we are very involved in Rwanda, creating a nationwide PEACE Plan at the invitation of the churches there. Over 1,000 Saddleback members have served on humanitarian projects in Rwanda."
Is Warren serious about opposing the criminalization of homosexuality? If he is, which I find seriously doubtful, then he by God ought to get on the phone and appeal to his good buddy President Kagame to put an immediate stop to this next potential human rights violation and gross act of indecency.
Here's the problem; The Ultra-Right Christiban extremists like this moron are starting to lose ground in the United States as more & more Americans are becoming upset at having their personal sense of what religious values ought to be becoming way too politicized. Most Christians in America, by and large, are moderates and are becoming uncomfortable with the messages from the Christibans who preach so-called Christian Love, but in reality are preaching thinly veiled messages of hateful doctrine. Americans apparently tire easily of a constant barrage of bogeymen who as it turn out, are their friends, neighbors, and family members, and not these evil sinful creatures.
So what does Warren & his kind do? They look outside the U. S. to spread their hateful rhetoric and influence in a backdoor approach to getting their way by doing "God's missionary work" in poor, underdeveloped, [ read ignorant ] nations in Africa and elsewhere. Pretty slick eh?
[Updated on: Sun, 20 December 2009 12:56] |
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Now, with regard to this "Does anyone actually know" stuff, perhaps you missed this: http://tinyurl.com/yjwxag4
There is a video.
It loads
It describes the bill
Watch it to the end.
And then you may see why I am a little terse!
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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They couldn't do it if citizens of the USA didn't give money to his organisation.
Love,
Anthony
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Why Thank you for that observation. Now,it begs this question; Do you truly understand why it is so important to wage a war of words against these clowns by spreading the message that hate cannot be tolerated being promulgated by anyone particularly so-called Christian ministers? Effective activism and advocacy also means being completely aware & being proactive Anthony.
-
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[Updated on: Mon, 21 December 2009 14:44] by Moderator |
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Anthony said; "They couldn't do it if citizens of the USA didn't..." Hmm, maybe because of their world views? Say like this:
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How has what we are trying to do about the problem in Uganda turned into a bit of anti-American sentiment ? Brody, you live and work here, surely you must know that not even a quarter of the people here believe in that fundamentalist crap. Look how good they did in the last election.
As for that map, looks pretty damn accurate to me and I have traveled the world. If it weren't for the U.S., every damned thing to the right of us on that map would have a swastika over it.
It's time for the finger pointing and yammering to stop. Time to solve the problem people. I am quite sure that there are others just as guilty and just as willing to help those who oppose our rights as gay citizens and equal members of society.
Timmy asked for our help, he recognised that this is a problem that could get ugly fast. He is right and I have been trying to get some good people I know to help out. This is our problem, whether we asked for it or not. Not acting on this leads to the building of facilities not unlike the ones built in Poland, one who's famous sign over the entrance was recently stolen and thankfully found just today.
Now that we have been given a map of where the bastards are, let's find out how to tighten their purse strings and how to cut of some of their donations. It is not illegal in most countries, unless their armed forces goose-step, to donate money to the cause of their choice. These fundamentalist sheep donate to whom they are told to. Maybe some wouldn't if they knew where their money goes ? That is the angle I and some friends are working on.
Aqua
[Updated on: Mon, 21 December 2009 15:52]
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love. Washington Irving
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In my last post prior to the "map" I had used a sarcastic reply to Anthony which an unknown moderator so thoughtfully edited even though it was obvious sarcasm and not rude. [Of course that makes me wonder if possibly my old gentleman's club analogy is dead on? Oh and Mr. Moderator? I am entitled to an e-mail on that by the way justifying the edit please.] The "map" was a sarcastic prod at perceived American stereotypes is all Aqua. There is however a truth that goes with that and if you've traveled outside the U. S. then you've been exposed to a greater world view of the "Ugly American" stereotype.
To answer you directly Aqua; I am not attacking Americans per se as I am going after the Ultra-right Christian Faction. [Which numbers slightly more than 1/4 of the population according to the Gallup organisation.] What's important to note is that they have unlimited financial resources and have for all intents and purposes declared warfare on the LGBT folks.
Africa, is now yet another battleground in this effort. This is more than the Gay marriage fight in the United States. People like Rick Warren are snakes masquerading as sheep and hide behind their interpretations of the bible and obviously 'God's Word' and as far as I can tell are not much different than the Islamic extremists save for car bombings and suicide bombers. Then there's Iran.... So,
Here are a couple of sites of LGBT activists in South Africa. read what their perceptions are of the situation in both Uganda & Rwanda now;
http://warfare-delightful-dreary-life.blogspot.com/
and this one as well
http://christinaengela.blogspot.com/
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Brody, I thank you for your reply. That was a guess, about "a quarter of the population". Glad to know I wasn't far off. I spend a lot of time in Greece and am well aware of the rest of the worlds thoughts about we here in the US. I do not like Canada's representation on that map, though. At the very least (tongue in cheek), it should have read "Hockey comes from here". Actually, it should have read, "Americas closest friend".
Thank you for the links. A lot of members have posted some very informative links since we began to focus on this assault against LGBT folk.
I DO NOT understand these fundamentalist/Evangelical types. It is like they have never even bothered reading the bible any further than Leviticus. I am prolly one of the least religious people you will meet. I grew up attending a "First Baptist" church in Boston. Not one time did I ever hear a word against homosexuality. When I moved to Florida 5 years ago, I went to a "First baptist" church near my home. Less than 10 minutes into the sermon, I got up and noisily made my way to the exit. These people are not even whack-jobs like Phelps and Warren. I have never heard that much venom and hatred uttered anywhere in that small ammount of time, much less a church. Leave it to say, you may tick the box next to Agnostic where I am concerned. My thoughts on religion mirror those of Anthony pretty well.
So, other than the labeling of Canada, we have no quarrel.
Aqua
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love. Washington Irving
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One word. . . . . YIKES !!!
aqua
There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition, and of unspeakable love. Washington Irving
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Aqua >about we<
I now know what Sisyphus felt like.
Hugs
N
[Updated on: Mon, 21 December 2009 20:29]
I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.
…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
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Then there's this kind of thing...From an Ultra-Right Christian activist and determined anti-gay advocate:
“On a personal note, let me take this opportunity to share with those caught-up in this particular sin lifestyle that I am no less a sinner and no better a person than they. None of us are. The good news is that, through Christ’s earth shattering sacrifice on the cross, we are redeemed. We need merely believe, call upon His name, repent and make every effort to ‘go and sin no more.’
“Unfortunately, however, we live in a society where this particular sin is embraced, promoted and even celebrated. People erroneously equate this unnatural and sinful behavior with ‘identity’ and ‘orientation’ even taking ‘pride’ in an objectively deviant lifestyle. My hope and prayer is that this silly faux ‘controversy’ might actually make people reflect –– if only for a moment –– upon the emotionally, spiritually and physically destructive nature of homosexual conduct. ‘Gayness’ is about what people do, not who people are. It’s about feelings and behaviors alone. But those feelings and behaviors don’t make those caught-up in them any less precious to God, to me or to anyone I know.
“Scripture tells us that the ‘wages of sin is death.’ It breaks my heart that so many ‘gays’ and ‘lesbians’ continue in a lifestyle that ultimately results in spiritual and, yes, even physical death. I’m very grateful for ministries such as PFOX, Exodus and others that reach out to those who seek to escape the homosexuality snare. In the meantime, I will push forward, undeterred, on the front lines of the ongoing culture war, fighting the militant homosexual activist organizations that enable and encourage those trapped in homosexuality to continue down that changeable path of destruction. Shame on them and shame on those who support them.” – Matt Barber
I don't know about you, but I agree with Daffy's sentiment as expressed below;
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I must concede that it is terribly difficult to argue against what Daffy says, and for a duck it's quite articulate.
Hugs
N
I dream of boys with big bulges in their trousers,
Never of girls with big bulges in their blouses.
…and look forward to meeting you in Cóito.
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Re: Max asked: Have you shoveled your snow yet? 
Re: Yes the bastard missionaries have been crawling over Afr 
Re: Yes the bastard missionaries have been crawling over Afr 
No, it's all a huge lie, propaganda! 
Re: Yes the bastard missionaries have been crawling over Afr 
