April Reign

Speak your mind even if your voice shakes

Archives for November 2008

Support the Universal Declaration of Human Rights

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Every Human has Rights. To some a simple statement of fact. To others an item for debate, or starting point from which to decide which of those humans really deserves rights and which are expendable or that you can manipulate others into thinking they are making poor choices or are authors of their own misfortunes.

If you believe that every human is endowed with the innate right to food, shelter, equal opportunity, freedom from persecution, the right to education and a job which enables one to live with dignity then head on over and sign your support for the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

Preamble

Whereas recognition of the inherent dignity and of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,

Whereas disregard and contempt for human rights have resulted in barbarous acts which have outraged the conscience of mankind, and the advent of a world in which human beings shall enjoy freedom of speech and belief and freedom from fear and want has been proclaimed as the highest aspiration of the common people,

Whereas it is essential, if man is not to be compelled to have recourse, as a last resort, to rebellion against tyranny and oppression, that human rights should be protected by the rule of law,

Whereas it is essential to promote the development of friendly relations between nations,

Whereas the peoples of the United Nations have in the Charter reaffirmed their faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person and in the equal rights of men and women and have determined to promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom,

Whereas Member States have pledged themselves to achieve, in cooperation with the United Nations, the promotion of universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms,

Whereas a common understanding of these rights and freedoms is of the greatest importance for the full realization of this pledge,

Now, therefore,

The General Assembly,

Proclaims this Universal Declaration of Human Rights as a common standard of achievement for all peoples and all nations, to the end that every individual and every organ of society, keeping this Declaration constantly in mind, shall strive by teaching and education to promote respect for these rights and freedoms and by progressive measures, national and international, to secure their universal and effective recognition and observance, both among the peoples of Member States themselves and among the peoples of territories under their jurisdiction.


Every Human Has Rights from The Elders on Vimeo.

Connecticut Ok’s Gay Marriage

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Judge Jonathan Silbert ruled same sex marriage legal basing his decision on a Supreme Court ruling in October.

The Connecticut Supreme Court ruled 4-3 on Oct. 10 that same-sex couples have the right to wed rather than accept a civil union law designed to give them the same rights as married couples.

This was fantastic news for those who had challenged the law against same sex marriage.

The judge’s order marks “the end of a very long journey toward equality,” said their attorney, Bennett Klein.

“Each of the plaintiffs asked me to convey to the court how proud they are to be citizens of this state,” Klein said.

Not everyone was happy of course,

The Family Institute of Connecticut, a political action group that opposes gay marriage, condemned the high court’s decision as undemocratic.

Undemocratic!? Ok then.

Answers.com gives 4 definitions of democratic,

1. Of, characterized by, or advocating democracy: democratic government; a democratic union.
2. Of or for the people in general; popular: a democratic movement; democratic art forms.
3. Believing in or practicing social equality: [believe this applies best]
4. Democratic Of, relating to, or characteristic of the Democratic Party.

none of these definitions seem to fit those of the Family Institute of Connecticut. psst maybe consulting a dictionary before releasing press statements would help

Couple Assaulted at Son’s School

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Today’s Star carries a horrific story about an assault perpetrated upon two women because they are lesbians. The assault happened at an elementary school as school was letting out and many children, including the couples son, witnessed this hateful and unprovoked attack.

This is the result when fear and ignorance are allowed to run unfettered. No person should worry that their ‘lifestyle’ is going to put them in harms way. I personally do not like fundamentalists, nor do I like the way they whisper their hatreds into their children ears in an effort to raise another generation of people ruled by fear and ignorance, however, I would never assault them.

Mark Scott, 43, of Oshawa has been charged with this crime.

Insp. Brian Osborne, of Durham Regional Police, said last night that the department will investigate the possibility that the assaults could be classified as hate crimes. The decision to pursue those charges is usually made with the Crown attorney’s office, Osborne said.

The Crown must classify this as a hate crime. These women were attacked solely because of their sexual orientation. To not do so would be to give permission for these types of attacks in the future.

My warmest wishes to this family as they heal from this senseless and tragic event.

Woman Delivers Rapist to Police

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A New Zealand woman who was abducted and raped by a man she had met earlier in the evening, delivered her rapist to the police. He allowed her to drive his car after the attack and fell asleep as she drove. Having her wits about her she promptly drove to a police station.

The attack happened in 2006, on Tuesday justice was served as, “Vipul Sharma, 22, was found guilty of abduction and two charges of rape by the Auckland District Court”

Source

A Historic Moment for America

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November 4th, 2008 a history making night for the United States of America, as for the first time ever Americans elected a black man to the highest office in the land. News footage showing tears steaming down the faces of those who never thought they would live to see such a thing could have failed to touch only the hardest of hearts.

President Elect Barack Obama gave an acceptance speech with a message of hope, of inclusiveness, of an awareness that he represents all the people not just those that voted for him, that has not been seen for some time.

Of course the American economy is tanking, there are wars, there is a level of hatred toward those not seen as “true Americans” reminiscent of the McCarthy era and so President Obama faces a great many challenges. He may not wholly live up to the hopes and dreams that have been pinned upon him. For now though there is joy and celebration. Hope for an end to blatant corruption, abuses of power and an almost sociopathic disregard for the well being of the people.

Congratulations to Barack Obama, his family and all the black families in the U.S. who can now say to their sons and daughters that one day you too could become President.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.”

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today!