Voter Registration

The Obama campaign just launched a new one-stop voter registration website called Vote for Change:

http://my.barackobama.com/vfc

You can check your registration status, register to vote, look up early-vote information for your state, apply to vote absentee, or even find your polling place.

http://my.barackobama.com/vfc

Information for Georgia

Can I Vote Early In Person?
Early Vote in Georgia is available from October 27 through October 31.

Where Do I Go On November 4th?
Soon you will be able to enter your address and find the polling location that’s closest to you.
Want us to let you know when this is available? Click "Find my polling location?" at the top of the page.

What Time Will The Polls Be Open On Nov 4th?
7:00 am to 7:00 pm

What to Bring With You When You Go.
Georgia law (O.C.G.A 21-2-417) requires Georgia residents to show photo identification when voting in person. When you arrive at your polling place, you will be required to present one of the following forms of identification: Georgia driver’s license, even if it is expired; photo ID issued by a state or federal government agency; passport; employee ID card containing your photograph and issued by any branch, department, agency, or entity of the U.S. government, Georgia, or any county, municipality, board, authority, or other entity of Georgia; U.S. military ID card; or a valid tribal ID card.

Florida Adoption Ban Declared Unconstitutional

Florida Circuit Court Judge David J. Audlin, Jr.has granted the petition of a gay man to adopt the child who was placed in his home as a foster child in 2001 and whose legal guardians the man and his partner of 15 years became in 2006. The child is identified in the court documents as John Doe. To grant the adoption, the judge had to find unconstitutional Florida’s ban and adoption by lesbians and gay men. In so finding, the judge reviewed what was said about the ban when it was enacted in 1977 and concluded that the origin of the ban was a politically charged climate, dominated by Anita Bryant’s anti-gay crusade that resulted in the repeal of the Miami anti-discrimination ordinance.

Judge Audlin addressed the decision of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in the Lofton case, which refused to find the ban unconstitutional. Lofton was decided based on summary judgment, which means there was never a trial with evidence presented about the validity of the ban from a best-interests-of-the-child perspective. The appeals court in Lofton said that the legislature passing the ban might have thought it “premature to rely on a very recent and still developing body of research, particularly in light of the absence of longitudinal studies following child subjects into adulthood and of studies of adopted, rather than natural, children of homosexual parents.”

Awesome

Ignore the Pregnant Teen, other reasons not to like Sara Palin

Over on my LiveJournal, I got in a mood and posted a big ol' brain dump on why Sara Palin is not right for the job of VP. It started with my exclamation of disbelief in a VP candidate having an unwed pregnant teen. That's not a good reason to not want her as a VP.

The fact that she has a pregnant teen is clouding the issue. Either side would have jumped on this. Were this Obama's teenage daughter, the right would have cried "an attack on the morals of America". Either way... it shouldn't be a issue.

So let's look at all the other things that should be talked about.

• Palin is under investigation in a nasty conflict involving her sister, a state trooper, an ugly divorce and the firing of Alaska Public Safety Commissioner Walt Monegan. Her lawyer is now demanding that the entire case be taken out of the hands of the independent prosecutor hired by Alaska lawmakers, and given over to a state personnel board -- whose three members were appointed by the governor herself. link
• Fellow Republican and Alaska State Senate President Lyda Green, told the Anchorage Daily News on Saturday "She's not prepared to be Governor. How can she be prepared to be Vice President or President?" link
• Sarah's mother-in-law, Faye Palin, echoed the sentiment. "I'm not sure what she brings to the ticket other than she's a woman and a conservative. Well, she's a better speaker than McCain," Faye offered. link
• Maj. Gen. Craig Campbell, adjutant general of the Alaska National Guard, said he and Palin play no role in national defense activities, even when they involve the Alaska National Guard.. The entire operation is under federal control, and the governor is not briefed on situations. link
• Andrew Sullivan reports that in an interview with Alaska Business Monthly, Palin, confessed "I haven't really focused much on the war in Iraq. I heard on the news about the new deployments, and while I support our president, Condoleezza Rice and the administration, I want to know that we have an exit plan in place; I want assurances that we are doing all we can to keep our troops safe." link
• From 2003 to 2005 Sarah served as one of three directors of the "Ted Stevens Excellence in Public Service, Inc.," a 527 group. In July 2008 the senior Alaska senator was indicted on seven counts of corruption. link
• Members of a fringe Alaska secessionist party, AIP, claim Palin was a member in the 90s. link This one looks be debunked (or spun). I think that she was never officially a member. It was AIP member claiming she was a member. She still spoke at their convention and supports them. link
• If Sara Palin wasn't an official member of AIP, her husband was. link
• Palin received millions in earmarks as mayor of Wasilla. Taxpayers for Common Sense combed through the lobbying reports that Wasilla filed when Palin was mayor. It came up with 14 items, totaling slightly less than $27 million. link
• Palin hired a lobbyist who honed his skills under now-jailed Jack Abramoff. link
• An Alaska State Senator reveals the McCain campaign is stalling an investigation of Sarah Palin link so that report doesn't come out right before the election link
• Video footage reveals Palin talking to her church congregation about how her policies are "shaped" by God. link She's a member of the Assembly of God, the Pentecostal denomination known for diving healing, speaking in tongues, and defrauding evangelicals (Morris Cerullo, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker, Gene Scott, Bill Hamon, Jimmy Swaggart, Karl Strader, Jack Coe, Benny Hinn.... I could on and on.)
• According to CNN, After Campbell Brown asks some hard questions to McCain's spokesman Tucker Bounds, McCain canceled an interview with Larry King. link
• Earlier this year, Palin used her line-item veto to slash funding for a state program benefiting teen mothers in need of a place to live. link
• She favors teaching creationism in public schools. link
• She didn't even have a passport until 2007. link
• She supported right-wing extremist Pat Buchanan for president in 2000. link
• She wants to open ANWR for drilling. link

I am utterly convinced that if she was a man that she would not be considered for the VP spot. She's got a few redeeming qualities as a person (deciding to keep a Down baby, supporting her teenage daughter, etc.), but as a Vice President, she's a worse pick than Cheney.

As for experience, there are arguments to be made from both sides. She does have "executive" experience, yes, but from a state of less than 650,000. All this talk about how this is so different from what Obama had done seems like splitting hairs. As Robert Gibbs said, "if executive experience is truly important on the Republican side, maybe she should run for president and John McCain can be her vice president." See, I believe that McCain, Obama, and Biden have the right experience and education to be President or VP. I just don't agree with McCain's view on the issues. I don't think that Sara Palin has the right experience or education, and I don't agree with her views.

So I agree, please ignore her teenager who got knocked up by a high school drop out. There are many more reasons to not want her as VP.

Shooting at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church

I'm sure some of you saw in the news a few days ago that there a shooting at a church in Tennessee. This was at Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church. Yes, the same Unitarian Universalists that I am a part of. I was left dumbfounded when I heard the story on Sunday. Our ministers sent a message out on Sunday, which you can read here. WIRB in Knoxville has done some great reporting on the incident, keeping as updated when the second man died later on during the day. They have posted a timeline full of links. Here's just one of the videos available on their website.

Here at UUCA, we held a vigil on Monday night. It was very moving with about 40 or 50 people showing up. We had families that used to attend TVUUC. We had teenagers that had made friends with TVUUC members at The Mountain. We had one lady talk about her fear and anger because being black and gay in the south, UUCA is one of the only places she feels safe, and she was angry that someone would threaten that sanctuary. We lit every candle we set out for the event. It was very moving and a great show of support for our Tennessee brethren.

Personal accounts are starting to be posted. Dr Reginald Osiris writes a very moving prose:

"People looked up, puzzled. Was is a sound equipment malfunction? Part of the scene? I'd never seen "Annie", so I had no idea what to expect. Vicki got up to see what had happened. Then she screamed "Get down, everybody!"

Another personal account from writingjen:

"There were no more shots for a moment, and I saw under the pew that people were running toward the doors ahead of me. I also realized that Hannah was outside. Realize that we had no clear what happened, how many people might be shooting, where he/they had been or come from. I screamed at Rob to go get Hannah, probably no sooner than he himself came to the same realization. He vaulted the single pew in front of us and ran out the stage right back door. My mother-in-law climbed over the same pew -- afterward, she said she must have had one of those adrenaline rushes that enable superhuman feats, because she's pretty sure she'd never make it over a pew under normal circumstances -- in a skirt and heels, no less. Now standing, I could see that most of the people were gone, some were milling around to my right, where it became apparent the injuries were. I saw my mom on the floor beneath her walker -- my dad was nowhere to be seen. I knew Mom would never be able to stand by herself, so I gave Z to his granny and she ran out the same door after Rob with my screaming boy. I climbed over the pew myself and went to mom -- after taking a second to pick up my purse and laptop. Can you believe it? What a dumb thing to do (but lucky, as it turned out)."

This event has touched me very deeply. I have only been a UU for a year or two now, but the sense of community has pulled me in way before this incident. The attacker was angry at the world and blamed liberals for his troubles. This attack could very easily been at UUCA or any other liberal church out there. It's scary and I am glad that I have a large extended family to share this troubling time with.

I was proud to be a UU last week. I am even prouder this week.

It's Official, I am a Lay Minister now!

On June 2nd, I was commissioned as a Lay minister at UUCA. It was a wonderful service and I greatly appreciate all the kind words by those I spoke with after the service. I am very excited about my post and look forward to serving the congregation.

I also had my first meeting as a member of the Nominating & Leadership Development Committee. We will be doing a Leadership Retreat next month. The dates have been selected: June 11th and 12th. Friday evening and all day Saturday.

Our Jewish Pagan Wedding Script

Here is the wedding script that Leah and I wrote/complied. Feel free to use any portion. A lot of the content below was also borrowed from the interwebs.

Processional: Rev. Keller, Opi, Jason, Xavier and his parents, Lisa, Audrey, Leo and Jorge, and then Leah and her parents.

Marti will take position at the pulpit. Xavier will remain in the middle of the circle. After giving kisses to Xavier, Xavier’s parents will sit. Jason and Lisa will take position. Audrey, with Jorge and Leo, will drop flowers up to Xavier. Xavier will kiss to all the kids and they will sit with Xavier’s Parents. Leah will enter with her parents, reach the edge of the circle, and receive kisses from her parents. They will sit with Xavier’s parents and the kids.

Leah will walk the circle three times. The first time around she will stop to plant the seeds. The second time around she will pour water on the fountain. The third time around she will uncover the Doves. Then she will invite Xavier to light the Chalice together.

They then walk under the chuppah together.

Marti:

The circle in which you all stand is a sacred space for a sacred event to take place. Much of the symbolism of the chuppa and the wedding band hold true in the circle, the sacred womb from which the two are born again as one and the symbol of eternity.

Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember; Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.

Be with us here, O beings of the Air
With your clever fingers
Tie closely the bonds between these two.

Be with us here, O beings of Fire
Give their love and passion
your own all-consuming ardor

Be with us here, O beings of Water
Give them the deepest of love
and the richness of the body, of the soul and of the spirit.

Be with us here, O beings of Earth
Let your strength and constancy
Be theirs for so long as they desire
to remain together

Be with us here, oh Lord our G-d, Sovereign of the World,
who hath created joy and gladness, Bridegroom and Bride,
mirth and exultation, pleasure and delight,
love and brotherhood, peace and friendship.
Blessed art thou, O Lord,
who gives the Bridegroom joy in his Bride.

This is your first drink together. May you never thirst!

Xavier and Leah sip the wine.

Marti:

Xavier, I have not the right to bind thee to Leah, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.

Xavier:

Behold, with the circle of protection and love you created and with the wisdom of the earth, you are betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.

Marti:

Leah, I have not the right to bind thee to Xavier, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.

Leah:

Behold, with the circle of protection and love I created and with the wisdom of the earth, you are betrothed unto me with this ring, according to the Law of Moses and Israel.

Marti [to Xavier]:

Repeat after me: I, John Baptista Xavier Ashe, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, Leah Grant Ingram, to my hand, my heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people and thy ways as I respect myself.

Marti [to Leah]:

Repeat after me: I, Leah Grant Ingram, in the name of the spirit of God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, John Baptista Xavier Ashe, to my hand, my heart and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee and be possessed by thee without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people and thy ways as I respect myself.

1. Praised are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the vine.

2. Praised are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who created all things for Your glory.

3. Praised are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Creator of man.

4. Praised are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, Who created man and woman in Your image, fashioning woman from man as his mate, that together they might perpetuate life. Praised are You, O Lord, Creator of man.

5. May Zion rejoice as her children are restored to her in joy. Praised are You, O Lord, Who causes Zion to rejoice at her children's return.

6. Grant perfect joy to these loving companions, as You did to the first man and woman in the Garden of Eden. Praised are You, O Lord, who grants the joy of bride and groom.

7. Praised are You, O Lord our G-d, King of the Universe, who created joy and gladness, bride and groom, mirth, song, delight and rejoicing, love and harmony, peace and companionship. O Lord our G-d, may there ever be heard in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem voices of joy and gladness, voices of bride and groom, the jubilant voices of those joined in marriage under the bridal canopy, the voices of young people feasting and singing. Praised are You, O Lord, Who causes the groom to rejoice with his bride.

Is it also your wish today that your hands be fasted in the ways of old?

Leah and Xavier:

It is.

Marti:

Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last.

In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another.

By this cord you are thus bound to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last.

May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths.

The cross creates the Rune Gebo which is the Rune of partnership and union. As your hands are bound by this cord, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot. May it be granted that what is done before God be not undone by man.

Xavier then break the glass. Mazel Tov!

Recessional: Xavier and Leah, Leah’s parents with Jorge and Leo, Xavier’s parents with Audrey, Lisa & Jason together, Opi, and Rev. Keller.

Open Call for Auditions

DigiTribe Productions, LLC (Geekin', After, The Statement of Randolph Carter) is pleased to announce open auditions for our newest feature film project, currently known as "The $1,000 Feature".

The Project: Our goal is to push ourselves to our creative limits and create an entire 90-minute feature film for exactly $1,000. We will be keeping an open production diary throughout filming and publishing the budget as the money dwindles away. The film itself is a dark, violent drama about one man's quest to save a friend. For more information on the 1KF, please check out our website -- www.digitribe.net
Due to the ultra-low budget nature of the film - compensation will be limited to meals, credit & copy.

Characters: Most, but not all, roles are for early 20's to mid 30's, male and female. Further information on roles can be found at: http://www.digitribe.net/projects/1kfeature/audition/roles

When and Where: Auditions will be held Saturday, May 24th from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Eyedrum, located at 290 MLK Jr. Drive, Suite 8, Atlanta, 30312. Performers will be seen on a first come - first served basis.

RSVP: Headshots and resumes will be accepted in advance and can be sent to 1kf-auditions@digitribe.net or PO Box 42 Jonesboro, GA 30237.
Some performers who pre-submit a headshot & resume may be selected for the Priority List. These performers will be notified by email, and will be sent to the head of the line when they arrive at the audition.

NLDC

I knew there was something else worth mentioning. I have been nominated to sit on the Nominating and Leadership Development Committee (NLCD) at UUCA. Woot!

I've been a bad UU Blogger

I've let this blog slip a little bit. So I'll be posting a good bit to catch up on all the fun UU-related activities in my life. Here's the overview:

• I got married!! Yup, on May 2nd at UUCA. Leah and I wrote the Jewish/Pagan service that was delivered my Rev. Marti Keller. I'll post the details soon.
• I delivered my first homily at Wonderful Wednesday Vesper Service.
• Furthering my Lay Minister studies. The installation service is on June 1st at UUCA

I'm sure there are some other things I need to post to catch up. Love to hear your feedback!

Belated Mother's day note

I have two great mother's in my live. They need to be celebrated.

The first mother is my wife of 10 days. She manages to make it look easy to take three kids to three different schools, with three different schedules, make breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack, keep all of us in clean clothes and in a clean house. Add into the equations three kids that like to get sick, Jorgito's special health needs, and Leo's sensitive immune system. She does it all so well, that you wouldn't think that it was a very hard task. She still has enough energy and love to play with the kids, play games with me, and generally stay very happy. She not only only takes care of us, but makes us happy, brings us joy, and shows us so much love that it's easy to forget how challenging life can be. Audrey and I could not have found a better person to be my wife and her mother. Thank You, Leah.

The other mother that needs celebrating is my own. I let you in on a little secret of my wedding. During the reception, Leah's ex decided that he was going to bail on taking the boys for the week of our Honeymoon. I spent a good portion of my reception dealing with the fact that the honeymoon was probably off. Then my mother told Leah and I that under on circumstances were we going to miss our honeymoon. They moved into our house and took care of three children with all the above mentioned challenges. My mother still has a job and my dad has church and school board obligations. But they made it work. And the children had a blast.

I've never been much of a mother's boy, but when the chips are down, my parents have been there for me. From moving to Milwaukee to help me after I separated, to helping me throughout the $20k, 2-year divorce, to ensuring I had a stress free honeymoon... they are the best parents in the world.