So the election is over, and I’m reasonably satisfied by the outcome, especially in the four state ballot measures about same-sex marriage. On election night, the DC coverage included a quick flash of a Standing on the Side of Love banner. I’ve never been sure of what to make of that campaign. At first it… Continue reading How strategic the action?
Category: Political life
Scout for state, federal legislation
While I don’t speak for my employer, the Sunlight Foundation, I am proud of many of its projects. There’s a new one I think many readers here might especially like. It’s called Scout; it searches through proposed state and federal legislation plus federal regulations and more. Here’s it searching religious liberty. And if you make… Continue reading Scout for state, federal legislation
This Obama mishegoss
People of the Left, I’m home sick so I’ll make this brief. Show some self-respect. The President said as little as possible about supporting same-sex marriage — and how much would he have said had the Vice President not spoken first? — and look how it’s gotten your juices going. Forget this not: everything is… Continue reading This Obama mishegoss
Why so quiet? TransparencyCamp 2012
I’ve not been blogging lately because I work for the Sunlight Foundation — these words are my own — and we just hosted our big in-person event, TransparencyCamp 2012. (When I make comments about Unitarian Universalist events, I do so honestly.) The camp has been getting some major press; indeed, I hear that several of… Continue reading Why so quiet? TransparencyCamp 2012
Consider this blog blacked-out
Lots of sites — like the English-language Wikipedia — are getting blacked out tomorrow in protest of SOPA and PIPA, and encouraging readers to contact their lawmakers to oppose these — but since I have a small readership I thought it more practical to say why than to figure out how to do so. It’s… Continue reading Consider this blog blacked-out
The new national weight loss plan
Over the years, I’ve tried to lose weight and am fully aware of what works for me (eating high-fiber, low-fat vegetarian food; counting and recording calories) and what doesn’t (everything else). My reasons for trying to lose weight, however, have changed. The vain reasons of youth have become the health-preservation demands of middle age. Why,… Continue reading The new national weight loss plan
Today’s visit to the Occupy DC encampment
After going to D.C.’s commercial market for discounted produce, I dropped by the Occupy DC (or is it OccupyDC?) to drop off some onions and check out the vibe. It’s much larger and matured than last Saturday, when I tried to attend a march and rally with friend, Unitarian Universalist minister and new blogger Peter… Continue reading Today’s visit to the Occupy DC encampment
The death of Gaddafi
I was a small baby when Muammar al-Gaddafi came to power, but since then — with a few poignant exceptions — the United States has been more conscious of how his name was tortuously spelled, rather than how he controlled and tortured his people. Certainly the Libyan people know. Let me share a thought that… Continue reading The death of Gaddafi
Why preaching garb?
A sideways answer from the President of the German Constitutional Court, Andreas Vosskuhle, from the current episode (in English) of Deutsche Welle’s People and Politics Speaking of the robes particular to the Constitutional Court, starting at 1:09: It takes a while [to put it on] and you feel different when you’re wearing it. You feel… Continue reading Why preaching garb?
Churches and electoral activity
It’s hypocritical to denounce right-wing churches for their overt support of a political candidate, while churches we like make a more subtle or cheeky endorsement of a candidate, innocent, intentional or not. I bring this up because Unitarian Universalist minister, Prairie Star district staffer and blogger Phil Lund (Phil’s Little Blog on the Prairie) considered… Continue reading Churches and electoral activity