Saddam Hussein: 1937 - 2006

AP news

Some Arab media, including Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya and the U.S.-financed Al-Hurra, reported about an hour before daylight Saturday (about 10 p.m. EST Friday) that Saddam had been executed. State-run Iraqiya television cited reports of Saddam's hanging, but like the other television stations did not provide sources.

There was no confirmation from the Iraqi government.

David Letterman's top ten favorite Georgr W. Bush moments

Edwards to run for 2008

I personally don't think he is a very articulate speaker, but, hey, he does look good. Maybe his look can compensate some points he lost in speeches.

Edwards plans to formally announce his candidacy Thursday from New Orleans’ 9th Ward which is hard hit by Hurricane Katrina. But his campaign got a little ahead of itself Wednesday and announced his intentions online.

“Better a day earlier than a day late,” said Jennifer Palmieri, Edwards’ adviser.

Civil Unions signed into NJ laws

UPDATE:

The state Attorney General’s office said yesterday that public officials authorized to conduct traditional weddings, must also perform civil unions to comply with anti-discrimination laws.

Corzine signed it today, without addressing the problem previously mentioned.

New Jersey's governor signed legislation Thursday giving gay couples all the rights and responsibilities of marriage allowed under state law — but not the title.

And the old Domestic Partnership Act is now gender neutral

On or after the effective date of this act, no domestic partnerships shall be registered under P.L.2003, c. 246 (C.26:8A-1 et seq.), except that two persons who are each 62 years of age or older may establish a domestic partnership pursuant to the provisions of P.L.2003, c.246 (C.26:8A-1 et seq.).

And the new NJ Civil Union Review Commission will

review the “Domestic Partnership Act,” P.L.2003, c.246 (C.26:8A-1 et seq.) and make recommendations whether this act should be repealed.

I personally think Domestic Partnership is something more reasonable than Civil Union. Demestic Parners define two persons living together, gay or straight, and Civil Union is a blatant discrimination against gay couples. I sort of agree that for those who live together, gay or straight, sharing some limited number of rights (like medical decisions) may be a good thing, but of course they don't deserve all the benefits as married couples. BTW I don't see how a civil union is better than a domestic partner with all the benefits of marriage. It's not marriage anyway, and it gives you exactly the same legal rights.

Even Corzine noticed that there are problems with the new Civil Union bill

So why was he for the bill from the beginning? I wrote email to his office asking about the rationale behind it, and never got replied. Regardless it's a good thing to know

Gov. Jon S. Corzine said he hopes to sign civil unions into law on Thursday, which would give gay couples the same rights as married couples, but is worried that mayors will be able to refuse to conduct the ceremonies.

"That would not be equal treatment under the law, but I would like to understand what the rights and obligations are," Corzine said Monday, adding that his lawyers were reviewing the bill.

Mayors aren't required under state law to perform marriages, and the civil unions bill doesn't alter that discretion. Bogota Mayor Steve Lonegan has said he will not perform the ceremonies and vowed Monday to not back down.

The governor said he wasn't sure what action he would take if his lawyers tell him the legislation allows mayors to reject civil union requests. Corzine could conditionally veto the bill, under which it would be sent back to lawmakers for revision. Or, he could sign it and hope lawmakers amend it.

As NJ Bar noticed, marriage equality will avoid all these legal problems with civil unions. Let's wait and see what Gov. Corzine is going to do on Thursday.

Reid's Iraq exit strategy

Although the liberal wing has been against any kind of troop increase, it seems it's now an acceptable strategy if it's bound with a withdraw. With all honesty, in my opinion, the only way the Democrats can work out a withdraw plan without winning a loser title at the same time is to allow a short term troop increase, say three months, and then if it still doesn't work out, let's leave without any regret. Apparently that's somehow close to what's in Sen. Reid's mind.

"If the commanders on the ground said this is just for a short period of time, we'll go along with that," said Reid, D-Nev., citing a time frame such as two months to three months. But a period of 18 months to 24 months would be too long, he said.

NJ Senate Judiciary Commitee passed the Civil Uions bill

Now it seems we're going to have another discriminatory act on book in NJ.

Gay couples would be able to register in civil unions and claim all the rights of married couples under a measure advanced Monday by a state Senate committee, making it possible such a law could be passed this week.

The Senate Judiciary committee advanced the bill with an 8-2 vote.

That puts Dometics Partnership Act at a very odd place. First of all DPA is a highly sexual orientation oriented law, requiring gay couples with totally different rules (no age limit for gay) than straight counterparts to enter a domestic partnership. Second, it's some State recognized relationship which is not marriage. Now we are going to have another law, applies only to gay couples, another relationship recognized by the State which is not marriage. I guess it's not difficult to see the whole thing doesn't ensure the fundamental equality to everyone. BTW I just received this email

When the Legislature passed the groundbreaking Domestic Partnership legislation we were told that it would be found unconstitutional; the court’s ruling has strengthened this law. New Jersey has long had the reputation for fighting for equal rights for all citizens. Providing same-sex couples the same statutory rights enjoyed by heterosexual couples is a natural progression.

We should all take a moment to recognize the tremendous effort put forth to this point and enjoy this great success.

Our job continues to be one of expressing to leadership your concerns and support for the further advancement of this issue and to gauge its success going forward.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact us, let’s enjoy this great moment.

Sincerely,

Assemblyman Louis D. Greenwald
and
Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt

This makes much more sense than the one I got days ago.

How do you know Romney is a hypocrite

By reading what he said.

"People of integrity don't force their beliefs on others, they make sure that others can live by different beliefs they may have," Romney told Bay Windows a dozen years ago when the paper interviewed him on LGBT civil rights.

Bay Windows republished the interview this week, after lawyers for Romney went to the state's highest court seeking an order to place on the 2008 ballot a proposed amendment banning same-sex marriage.

Romney has the been the leading opponent of same-sex marriage in Massachusetts as he seeks support for an expected GOP presidential bid in 2006. In speeches throughout the country he has called for an amendment to the US Constitution to block gay marriages.

But back in 1994, when he was running against Ted Kennedy for the Senate, Romney's position was far different.

He told Bay Windows that he opposed "extremists" who were trying to impose their positions on the Republican Party and that he believed marriage was a state issue.

Isn't that interesting that someone called himself an extremist?

Think Equal

Please forward this to everyone you know in NJ. many thanks to Bluejersey.

Movie - The Chumscrubber

I just wrote a review on my other blog. Here is the trailer.

November reading report

Hmm....worst ever, 50 in a month. Doesn't surprise me that we peak on 7th, the Election Day, with 12 views.