This is how one blogger is responding to the video:
Cindy McCain Supports Gay Rights (Video)
Eye-Opening LGBT PSA with McCain’s Wife
EmailWritten by ChrisTV on Nov-12-10 5:35pm
From: webtvhub.com
John McCain may be “on the safe side” when it comes to voicing his opinions on gay rights, but his wife isn’t. Here she she can be seen in a celebrity-filled PSA saying some controversial comments like, “Our political and religious leaders tell LGBT youth that they have no future.”
After seeing this video, I think we know who wore the pants in the family before John and her got divorced.
While I love the fact that celebrities are voicing their opinions when it comes to supporting the LGBT community, I think this video could have been put together a tad bit better. For starters, it’s way too long for a commercial and I felt as if I were being lectured by the halfway mark.
Another thing I didn’t really like about the video was the line about how homophobia “starts with a joke.” I’m sorry but jokingly saying, “That’s so gay!” doesn’t incite violence. In fact, I know quite a few members of the LGBT community that use that phrase in jest.
That being said, I’m so glad McCain’s wife is an actually taking a stance on an important issue (unlike her iffy husband). Who knows, Hilary might have some competition in the next election
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Related News:
Gates Orders Probe Into 'Don't Ask' Review Leak
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates has condemned the unauthorized release of draft findings of a working group studying the impact of a potential repeal of the ban on gays and lesbians serving openly in the military, and he has ordered an investigation into the source, Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said today.
Gates is "very concerned and extremely disappointed" that unnamed sources selectively revealed aspects of Comprehensive Review Working Group's draft findings, Morrell said in a statement, "presumably to shape perceptions of the report prior to its release."
The report is due to Gates Dec. 1.
The secretary launched the review in March to objectively ascertain the impact of repealing the so-called "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law on military readiness, effectiveness, recruiting, retention, unit cohesion and families, Morrell noted.
"[Gates] made it clear then and throughout this process that it was 'critical that this effort be carried out in a professional, thorough and dispassionate manner,'" Morrell said. "He has also stated clearly that 'given the political dimension of this issue, it is equally critical that ... every effort be made to shield our men and women in uniform and their families from those aspects of this debate.'"
Morrell noted that the working group has operated for nearly nine months in strict accordance to Gates' mandate. "Anonymous sources now risk undermining the integrity of this process," he said.
"The secretary strongly condemns the unauthorized release of information related to this report and has directed an investigation to establish who communicated with the Washington Post or any other news organization without authorization and in violation of Department policy and his specific instruction, Morrell said.
The report is due to Gates Dec. 1, and the full report will be made public early next month. "Until then, no one at the Pentagon will comment on its contents," he said.
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Supreme Court Keeps 'Don't Ask' in Place Through Appeals Process By Lisa Daniel
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 12, 2010 - The U.S. Supreme Court today ruled that the law banning gays from serving openly in the military will stay in place while the case moves through the federal appeals court process.
The court denied without comment an emergency request from a gay rights group to suspend implementation of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" law while it is under review by the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco.
Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Navy Adm. Mike Mullen have said implementation of the repeal of the 1993 law would take time to do properly, and that congressional repeal would be less disruptive than having the law overturned by the courts. The appeals court reportedly cannot hear the case until at least March.
"DOD believes the decision upholding the stay was appropriate," a Defense Department official said today.
The Log Cabin Republicans' emergency request follows the 9th Circuit's decision Nov. 1 to stay a lower judge's ruling that found the law unconstitutional. That decision, by federal District Judge Virginia Phillips on Oct. 12, put an immediate injunction on the law, stopping implementation of it worldwide until Oct. 20, when the appeals court approved an emergency request by the Justice Department to suspend Phillips' ruling while the case was under appeal.
The Supreme Court's decision today keeps the appeals court decision in place while it continues to review the law's constitutionality. The appeals court on Nov. 1 wrote that the government was convincing in its argument that the lack of an orderly transition "will produce immediate harm and precipitous injury." The panel further stated that the courts should show deference in cases involving the military.
Gates ordered a Defense Department review of the law's impact and possible repeal earlier this year. The results are due back to him Dec. 1.
Related News:
Governor Paterson Signs "Dignity for All Students Act"
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Governor David A. Paterson today signed into law the Dignity for All Students Act, which will help ensure that school administrators and educators have the tools and resources in place to afford all students – and particularly those who are targeted by bullies – an educational environment in which they can thrive.
"Every student has the right to a safe and civil educational environment, but far too often young people are ruthlessly targeted by bullies," Governor Paterson said. "Bullying and harassment have disrupted the education of too many young people, and we in government have a responsibility to do our part to create learning environments that help our children prosper. I am proud to sign this bill into law as it will help ensure that students are protected from harassment, discrimination and bullying at school grounds and at school functions."
Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson said: "To give our children the world class education they deserve we must first give them a school environment free of harassment and discrimination. I applaud Governor Paterson, Speaker Silver, the bill's main sponsors Senator Duane and Assemblyman O'Donnell, as well as the many dedicated advocates who joined together to pave the way for our children to have the safe and supportive school environment they need to achieve their full potential.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver said: "We cannot simultaneously speak of the importance of learning and allow some of our children to be deprived of their dignity and their right to an education by those who bully and harass. This is why the Assembly Majority has advanced Dignity for All Students and like legislation year after year. I laud the tireless efforts of Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell to bring this critical legislation to enactment. It is yet another step forward in our goal of establishing a progressive democracy; one in which all New Yorkers can be proud."
To help provide a safe and civil educational environment, the Dignity for All Students Act requires school districts to:
Revise their codes of conduct and adopt policies intended to create a school environment free from harassment and discrimination;
Adopt guidelines to be used in school training programs to raise awareness and sensitivity of school employees to these issues and to enable them to respond appropriately; and
Designate at least one staff member in each school to be trained in non-discriminatory instructional and counseling methods and handling human relations.
The bill explicitly defines "harassment" in terms of creating a hostile environment that unreasonably and substantially interferes with a student's educational performance, opportunities or benefits, or mental, emotional or physical well-being, or conduct, verbal threats, intimidation or abuse that reasonably causes or would reasonably be expected to cause a student to fear for his or her physical safety. The bill explicitly prohibits harassment and discrimination of students with respect to certain non-exclusive protected classes, including, but not limited to, the student's actual or perceived "race, color, weight, national origin, ethnic group, religion, religious practice, disability, sexual orientation, gender or sex."
Senator Thomas K. Duane said: "I applaud Governor Paterson for his strong support as he signs The Dignity for All Students Act (DASA) into law. DASA was one of the first bills I introduced in 1999 when I was newly elected to the State Senate. Now, after more than a decade of struggle, and with the Governor's support from the beginning to today, DASA will finally become a reality. Its intention is simple: No child should be terrified to go to school due to bullying and harassment. DASA is unique in that it focuses on education and the prevention of bullying and harassment before they begin rather than punishment after the fact. Further, the new law will include protections for students of transgendered experience -- the first time such provisions will be enshrined in New York State law. DASA will improve the quality of life for all of New York's public school students and will enhance their ability to thrive in a safe and nurturing educational environment."
Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell said: "Too many students are bullied based on real or perceived differences with their classmates. Every student deserves an environment free of harassment and discrimination, an environment that allows every child to reach his or her full potential. For too long, our educational system has been blind to the plight of these students. I am proud that the Assembly led the way on this important issue, and that today, the Dignity for All Students Act is finally signed into law."
This law takes effect on July 1, 2012, although rules and regulations necessary to implement the bill on that day may be promulgated before that date.
Soure: http://www.state.ny.us/governor/press/090810-DignityStudentsAct.html
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