So, do any of the demographics surprise you? And take a look at where many of the Blenders are located:
Feel free to use as an open thread. I've been offline all day enjoying the wonderful weather down here; the azaleas are in bloom. It's perfect save the enormous amount of pollen in the air. Thank goodness neither of us have allergies, but the sheer amount of the stuff still has us sneeezing.
We're already seeing folks come from away and wave signs at traffic in Augusta.
(Update: got the photo here)Today's Kennebec Journal had (on section B page 3) a nice big photo of 4 young white men in white shirts, ties and blazers with perfect Republican Hair (TM). One is holding some sort of banner and the others a sign. Their sign reads: "God's Marriage= 1 man & 1 woman". But what I really like is the quick caption under the photo:
DEMONSTRATORS HOLD BANNERS AND SIGNS and wave at traffic in a traffic island at Memorial Circle on Friday afternoon. John E. Ritchie said the demonstrators were from the The American Society for the Defense of Tradition, Family and Property, a Catholic group headquartered in Pennsylvania. He said that they were travelling across the region opposing proposed bills that would allow same-sex marriage. The eight men started their demonstration in the middle of the Memorial Circle but an Augusta police officer asked them to move to a traffic island.
I like this because the reporter decided to show that Mainers are NOT going to be allowed to have this diss discussion without out-of-staters poking their noses in- and believe me, we're even WORSE than Vermonters when it comes to THAT sort of "buttinskiisms"! ;)
But what's interesting is that it looks like these young men are part of a very disturbing group indeed. It makes me wonder- how do these people support themselves financially as they roam the country and are they paying taxes?
Anyways...
First, I am pleased to say there will be audio feed of the public hearing via this link.
No doubt there ill also be numerous TV links- here is a list of those local channels I expect to be on hand who will no doubt have online videofeed:
WCSH-6- NBC, Portland
WMTW-8- ABC, Lewiston/Auburn
WGME-13- CBS, Portland
WABI-5- CBS, Bangor
Much more info below...
Here's the information and the rules for what is shaping up to be a pretty big event in my neck of the woods, as provided by Maine.gov.
If any other persons or groups want to provide links, info etc, please feel free to do so!
The Joint Standing Committee on the Judiciary
Public Hearing on LD 1020 "An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom" and LD 1118 "An Act To Expand Rights for Maine Families" at the Augusta Civic Center, Augusta on Wednesday, April 22nd~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
124th Maine Legislature
1st Regular Session
convened 12/3/2008,
statutory adjournment is 6/17/2009.Hearing Location:
Augusta Civic Center
76 Community Drive (off Rt. 27)
Augusta, MaineDoors open at 8:00 AM.
(Hearing to start) Wednesday, April 22nd, 9:00 a.m.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Public Hearing ProcedureTo allow time for as many participants as possible to testify:
1. A person may testify only once, for a maximum of 3 minutes per person; rebuttal testimony is not permitted.
2. Avoid redundant testimony.
3. Groups are encouraged to select a spokesperson. When not testifying, please remain quiet or step outside so others can hear the testimony and help the process move efficiently.
4. Minors are present; all testimony and conversations must be kept appropriate and dignified.
5. If you have written testimony, please give 20 copies to the staff before speaking.
6. Signs, pictures, posters or banners, balloons or sticks are not allowed in the building or outside on Civic Center property.
7. Demonstrations, chanting or other disruptive behavior is prohibited.
8. Weapons of any type are prohibited ited on Civic Center grounds.
9. Smoking is allowed beyond the sidewalk curb, as designated by the Civic Center. Civic Center will be open serving food and drink.
10. Please use the link to right to print copies of bills and other information before the hearing. Paper copies of the bill will not be available at the hearing.
(Note from Louise: links below for this list)
11. Access to the public hearing is via the first floor only. Other events are occuring in the building. Ample seating is expected to be available throughout the day.
12. Persons with special needs who wish to attend the hearing and require accommodations should notify the Legislative Information Office as soon as possible: 207-287-1692, TTY 207-287-6826, FAX 207-287-1580, webmaster_lio@legislature.maine.gov.
The above mentioned link as provided from the legislative site:
Downloadable documents including the bills texts.
For follow-up, here are the links for the bills' status/info as well.
LD 1020- Seantor Dennis Damon's bill.
LD 1118- Representative Les Fossel's bill.
This from Village Soup is a good overview:
The hearing will be held Wednesday, April 22, at the Augusta Civic Center. Doors open at 8 a.m. and the hearing begins at 9 a.m. The hearing was originally scheduled to be held April 24, at Cony High School in Augusta, but was rescheduled to ensure greater access to Maine residents.
The two bills are LD 1020 -"An Act To End Discrimination in Civil Marriage and Affirm Religious Freedom," sponsored by Sen. Dennis Damon, D-Trenton, and LD 1118 - "An Act to Expand Rights for Maine Families," sponsored by Rep. Leslie Fossel, R-Alna.
If passed, Damon's bill would make civil marriage in Maine a legally recognized union of two people. The bill affirms that religious institutions continue to have control over their own religious doctrine and teachings regarding who may marry within each faith.
Fossel's bill, if passed, would provide that "registered domestic partners have the same rights, protections and benefits and are subject to the same responsibilities, obligations and duties under law, whether they derive from statute, administrative rule, court rule, government policy, common law, or any other provisions or source of law, as are granted to and imposed upon spouses."
No political signs or banners will be allowed in the auditorium.
Members of the public may listen online through the Legislature's Web site, Legislature.maine.gov.
The committee will hear testimony from opposing sides in half-hour increments. Individuals will have three minutes to present their testimony. The committee is scheduled to take two 45-minute meal breaks during the day, and the hearing will adjourn no later than 8 p.m.
"It is going to be a long day, but we are ready for it," said Sen. Lawrence Bliss, D-South Portland, co-chairman of the Joint Standing Committee on Judiciary. "Our committee members are excited and ready to tackle these issues. We are looking forward to hearing from the public on these two bills."
"We have put a process in place that will make sure everyone's voice is heard," said Rep. Charles Priest, D-Brunswick, co-chairman of the committee. "Public input is vital for the committee to carry out its work."
Hope to see many people there! I'l; I'll be in the parking lot no later than 6am...
Cross-posted at http://www.tips-q.com/838745-tony-perkins-continues-lie-about-hate-crimes-legislation
UPDATE: TVC and Christian Anti-defamation Commission join in on the fun.
H.R. 1913 – "To provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes". – is limited to violent crime. Furthermore, it contains the following:
"Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution."
In spite of that, Tony Perkins, head of Family Research Council refuses to allow the facts to get in the way of his bigotry towards gay people and his agenda of hate. He sent out the following email:
Hate Crimes Legislation to Silence You!
The enactment of so-called "hate crimes" legislation is a long stated objective of the homosexual agenda.
What "hate crimes" legislation does is lay the legal foundation and framework for investigating, prosecuting and persecuting pastors, business owners, and anyone else whose actions reflect their faith.
The House Judiciary Committee is scheduled to mark-up the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 this Wednesday, April 22. They need to hear from you.
Tony has a new website with the remarkable domain name http://ww w.fighthatecrimes.com/ According to the site:
... we urge you to actively oppose all "hate crimes" bills which allow federal prosecution for crimes based on "actual or perceived" sexual orientation.
Hate Crimes legislation is ultimately a Thought Crime law, allowing citizens to be prosecuted for their religious beliefs.
FALSE — That's a Lie
Hate Crimes legislation is a violation of our First Amendment rights of Free Speech and Free Exercise of Religion.
FALSE — That's a Lie
Hate Crimes legislation creates a special class of people based on their "sexual orientation" or "gender identity."
FALSE — That's a Lie
The Constitutional rights of pastors and religious individuals to peacefully disagresagree on issues of sexual orientation should be protected.
FALSE — That's a Lie
The future of America is in your hands. Please stop this discriminating legislation from passing.
FALSE — That's a Lie
The lawsuit was brought forward by the Transgender Law Center on behalf of Gigi Marie Somers, a 67-year-old Kansas resident seeking to change her documentation. Read the full story at the Advocate’s web site, or read the court’s decision.
Birth certificates are often relied upon as a primary documentation resource, used by employers, creditors and the government to verify individuals’ identities. Without the ability to change their birth certificate, many transpeople are left in legal limbo, and are frequently outed by their documentation, which may not maich may not match their gender presentation.
Birth certificate change procedures vary from state to state, and some states don't allow any alteration to the sex listed on this critical document. This increased ease in changing birth certificate will benefit California-born transpeople across the country. Congratulations to the Transgender Law Center on this fantastic victory!
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