November 6, 2012 was truly historic. For the first time ever, the 20% of the United States Senate will be female. Of course, that’s far from the 50% that would mark a truly representative democracy. But here’s what it looks like.
Month: November 2012
Breaking news: first openly bisexual person elected to Congress
The election was too close to call before, but as of today, Kyrsten Sinema has defeated Tea Partier Vernon Parker in Arizona’s 9th Congressional District. Sinema is the only openly bisexual person in the Senate or the House, though she joins fellow LGBT officials like Senator Tammy Baldwin, and Reps. Jared Polis of Colorado, David Cicilline of Rhode Island, Sean Patrick Maloney of New York, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and Mark Takano of California.
Obama responds to letter from girl with two dads
So, first there is this totally adorable and moving hand-written letter by 10-year old Sophia Bailey Klugh, who has two dads. (See the hand written letter and drawing below the jump). Sophia explains, “I am so glad that you agree two men can love each other because I have two dads and they love each other, but at school kids think that it’s gross and weird, but it really hurts my heart and feelings.” She then asks, “If you were me and you had two dads that loved each other and kids at school teased you about it, what would you do?”
And guess what! Obama wrote Sophia back. His advice: “A good rule is to treat others the way you hope they will treat you. Remind your friends at school about this rule if they say something that hurts your feelings.”
Musical Parody: “(Mitt’s got a) Fast Car”
This is a music video parody I made of Tracy Chapman’s “Fast Car.” It’s sung from the perspective of Seamus, the Romney dog who was strapped to the top of the car. It’s meant to be funny but actually speaks to the insensitivity of Mitt Romney. It’s the same insensitivity that caused him to state that he doesn’t really care about 47% of the country. It’s the same insensitivity that allowed him to continue endorsing Richard Mourdock, even after he said that that a pregnancy resulting from rape is “something God intended.” It’s the same insensitivity that made him say “I didn’t know you [LGBT people] had families.” It’s the same insensitivity we saw when he endorsed “self deportation” for immigrants.
Bette Midler Defies Hurricane, Fights Climate Change
Bette Midler knows that even when it comes to Hurricane Sandy, the show must go on. And so must her annual masquerade Hulaween — a major fundraiser for the New York Restoration Project. The nonprofit reclaims and restores New York City parks, community gardens, and open spaces throughout the five boroughs. Sandy makes the work of NYRP even more urgent.
When I asked Midler, dressed as the corpse of CoCo Chanel to go with the evening’s French theme, whether “super” hurricanes like Sandy will change the minds of climate change deniers, she said: “I have no idea. But I know, I know in my heart, the truth. And I will not be swayed. And you know what, if people knew simple physics, they would understand it as well.”
Midler told Us Weekly, “We had no idea that this was gonna happen of course, that we were gonna have the devastation of Sandy. But there’s never been a time where our organization is needed more.” […]
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