"Enough with the hearts and flowers, already" February 11, 2012|Beth Teitell, Globe Staff
Oh, Valentine’s Day, how do we hate thee? Let us count the ways: In the Back Bay, the Gypsy Rose dance studio is planning a “Single & Bitter’’ pole dancing class. On Massachusetts Avenue, Bristol Recording and Voice Studios is hosting a Black Valentine’s Day open mike night. “No sappy duets,’’ the rules instruct. And in Cambridge, “Breakup banana splits’’ and “Bloody heart pizzas’’ will be on the Feb. 14 menu at Area Four.
“Booooo Valentine’s Day,’’ the casual eatery’s co-owner, Michael Krupp, cried. “Forget about what everyone else is doing, and do your own thing.’’
But in 2012, “what everyone else is doing’’ could be an anti-Valentine’s activity.
Leave it to a war paper to front-page this.
The National Retail Federation predicts the average American celebrating the holiday will spend $126.03....
Why is it called a holiday when no one gets the day off?
With Valentine’s Day looming, the hostility in some quarters is running so high it’s as if a jilted billionaire were funding an anti-Cupid super PAC....
That is such a telling metaphor; it shows you what level the reporter has internalized the values of the elite they serve.
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Related: Adelson Pulls the Plug on Gingrich
Never saw that break-up in my Globe!
"Obama seeks to defuse contraception rule uproar; Won’t back down on coverage, aides say" by Helene Cooper and Katharine Q. Seelye | New York Times, February 08, 2012
WASHINGTON — Facing vocal opposition from religious leaders and an escalating political fight, the White House sought yesterday to ease mounting objections to a new administration rule that would require health insurance plans — including those offered by Roman Catholic universities and charities — to offer birth control to women free of charge.
As the Republican presidential candidates and conservative leaders sought to frame the rule as showing President Obama’s insensitivity to religious beliefs, Obama’s aides promised to explore ways to make it more palatable to religious-affiliated institutions, perhaps by allowing some employers to make side insurance plans available that are not directly paid for by the institutions.
But White House officials insisted the president would not back down from his decision last month that employees at institutions affiliated with religious organizations receive access to contraceptives.
Just wait a couple of minutes.
During a campaign season that was supposed to be consumed by economic concerns, the growing uproar surrounding the contraception rule and other developments — including a federal appeals court’s decision yesterday to strike down a California ban on same-sex marriage and the protests last week that prompted an anticancer group to reverse a ban on grants to Planned Parenthood — showed that social issues still resonate strongly on the political stage....
Meaning the media is going to feed us this crap and think we will decide the election over these side issues and not the importance matters of war and economy.
I have two qualifications for president: does he stand up to Israel, or does he....
Well, I have one qualification for president.
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Also see: Mass. has birth control provision similar to US health care law
That means Mitt stepped in s***!
"Komen exec quits after Planned Parenthood flap" February 07, 2012|Ray Henry, Associated Press
A vice president at the Susan G. Komen for the Cure resigned Tuesday, saying the breast cancer charity should have stood by its politically explosive decision to cut off funding for Planned Parenthood.
Karen Handel, a Republican who opposed abortion as a candidate for Georgia governor, said she was actively engaged in efforts to cut off the grants and said the charity’s reversal hurt its core mission.
Related: Komen Right Back at You
“I am deeply disappointed by the gross mischaracterizations of the strategy, its rationale, and my involvement in it,’’ Handel said in her letter. “I openly acknowledge my role in the matter and continue to believe our decision was the best one for Komen’s future and the women we serve.’’
The grants, totaling $680,000 last year, went to breast-screening services offered by Planned Parenthood, which provides a range of women’s health care services including abortions. Under criteria developed by Komen during Handel’s tenure, Planned Parenthood would have been disqualified from future grants because it was under a congressional investigation launched at the urging of anti-abortion activists.
Komen, the nation’s largest breast-cancer charity, reversed course after its decision ignited a three-day firestorm of criticism. Members of Congress and Komen affiliates accused the group’s national leadership of bending to pressure from anti-abortion activists.
“Neither the decision nor the changes themselves were based on anyone’s political beliefs or ideology,’’ Handel said in her resignation letter. “Rather, both were based on Komen’s mission and how to better serve women, as well as a realization of the need to distance Komen from controversy.’’
Handel said the discussion had started before she arrived at the organization last year. She said the charity was concerned that some Roman Catholic Dioceses had encouraged believers not to give to Komen because it supported Planned Parenthood.
“I was tasked with identifying options that would allow us to move to neutral ground about this so we weren’t on either side of you know, pro-life, pro-choice,’’ Handel said.
Komen Founder and CEO Nancy G. Brinker said she accepted Handel’s resignation and wished her well.
“We have made mistakes in how we have handled recent decisions and take full accountability for what has resulted, but we cannot take our eye off the ball when it comes to our mission,’’ Brinker said in a statement. “To do this effectively, we must learn from what we’ve done right, what we’ve done wrong and achieve our goal for the millions of women who rely on us.’’
Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Andrea Hagelgans declined to comment.
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You ladies would have been better off stopping in the lobby:
"Pennsylvania vending machine dispenses ‘morning-after’ pill" Associated Press, February 08, 2012
PITTSBURGH - Students at Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania can get the “morning-after’’ pill by sliding $25 into a vending machine installed at the request of the student government.
The Etter Health Center at Shippensburg, a public school of 8,300 students in Appalachia’s scenic Cumberland Valley, provides the Plan B One Step emergency contraceptive along with condoms, decongestants, and pregnancy tests.
The pill is available without a prescription to anyone 17 or older, and the school checked records and found that all current students are that age or older, spokesman Peter Gigliotti said.
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Those that never have to worry:
"Calif. gay-marriage ban found unconstitutional; Appeals ruling may land case in high court" by Adam Nagourney | New york times, February 08, 2012
LOS ANGELES - A federal appeals court panel ruled yesterday that a voter-approved ban on same-sex marriage in California violates the Constitution, all but ensuring that the case will proceed to the Supreme Court....
Supporters of Proposition 8 can now ask for a larger panel of the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit to take up the case. But they could also appeal the case directly to the Supreme Court, setting the stage for a decision by the nation’s highest court on an issue that has roiled legal, political, and cultural circles here and across the country.
The decision was the latest victory by same-sex marriage proponents here since losing at the polls four years ago and sets the stage for what they said they were seeking: a fight before the Supreme Court.
“This is a huge day: The United States Court of Appeal for the Ninth Circuit, which represents nine states and certain territories, has decided that Proposition 8 is unconstitutional,’’ said Theodore B. Olson, one of the attorneys representing the American Foundation for Equal Rights, which challenged Proposition 8. Speaking at a news conference, Olson said he was now “very confident’’ the Supreme Court would uphold the decision and nullify the voter initiative.
For those who don't know, Ted's former wife Barbara was allegedly on the airplane that slammed into the Pentagon on 9/11-- if you believe in that kind of fairy tale nonsense.
Proponents of Proposition 8 expressed disappointment in the decision but said they were not surprised given the nature of the Ninth Circuit, which they view as a liberal court, and predicted it would fail before the Supreme Court....
The judges continued the stay on the decision that had been handed down by Judge Vaughn R. Walker, who had been the chief judge of the US District Court of the Northern District of California but has since retired, meaning that it will have no immediate effect: Same-sex marriages will not be allowed to commence while the litigation continues....
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"Washington state legislators OK same-sex marriage; Change could be stalled by a referendum" by William Yardley | New York Times, February 09, 2012
SEATTLE — Washington was poised yesterday to become the seventh state to allow same-sex couples to marry after the state House gave final passage to such a bill. Governor Christine Gregoire promised to sign it.
Related: Globe's Gay Northwest
She is expected to do that as soon as next week, but it is not likely to take immediate effect. Under state law, if opponents gather 120,000 signatures, the measure will be put to a referendum before it can be enacted.
The Washington vote came just a day after a court ruling in California that struck down that state’s ban on same-sex marriage, and it precedes several other votes expected that could keep the issue in the spotlight throughout this election year....
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Globe's front page spotlight:
"Gay marriage a state-by-state tussle; Both sides see hope in voters, legislators" by Sarah Schweitzer | Globe Staff, February 13, 2012
CONCORD, N.H. - Even as same-sex marriage made gains on the West Coast last week with victories in two states, New Hampshire legislators appear poised to repeal the state’s 2 1/2-year-old gay marriage law within the coming weeks.
While Governor John Lynch has promised a veto, the renewed debate illustrates how volatile the issue of same-sex marriage remains in New England and across the country, even in states where it appears to be settled law.
In Maine, activists are seeking to place a gay marriage referendum on the November ballot, asking voters to reinstate the law three years after they repealed it.
You know, “What is it about democracy that these groups don’t understand?’’
It all depends on the agenda-pushing (or not) referendum, right?
Advocates in Rhode Island plan to reintroduce legislation to allow gay marriage after suffering a defeat last year despite backing by both the governor and speaker of the House.
Meanwhile, in Maryland and New Jersey, bills to legalize same sex-marriage are expected to receive legislative approval, with opponents vowing to seek referendums in November to overturn the laws. In North Carolina and Minnesota, voters are expected to vote on proposed amendments to ban gay marriage.
Both sides see hope in the shifting landscape, saying momentum is on their side.
Just as I've become tired and bored with the issue.
Brian Brown, president of the National Organization for Marriage, which opposes gay marriage, said any legislative victories this year would be porous, with popular votes likely to overturn them.
“There will be a lot of ballot initiatives on election day 2012, and we’ve never lost,’’ he said. “There have been 31 popular votes and we’ve won every one.’’
Stuart Gaffney, spokesman for Marriage Equality, a national group that backs gay marriage, said, “We’ve seen more forward movement on marriage equality than on any other civil rights issue. We’ve seen support grow by leaps and bounds.’’
Two of those leaps took place last week when a federal appeals court ruled that a voter-backed initiative barring gay marriage in California was not constitutional; this decision could ultimately end up before the Supreme Court. In Washington state, the governor is poised to sign a gay marriage bill into law today after it won final legislative approval Wednesday.
Currently, Connecticut, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Vermont, and the District of Columbia permit gay marriage.
Boosting the temperature of the debates is the presidential election campaign. The leading Republican contenders - Mitt Romney, Rick Santorum, and Newt Gingrich - oppose gay marriage. President Obama last week said he is still “evolving’’ on the issue.
New England is viewed as the nation’s bulwark of gay marriage: Massachusetts was first to allow it, with the first weddings taking place in 2004. Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont followed suit.
For the record, I am opposed; however, I live in Massachusetts and accept it as per Ron Paul principles.
More: Giving It Up For the Gays
But Maine voters overturned their law permitting same-sex marriage months after its passage in 2009 and now, New Hampshire legislators appear poised to overturn their law of the same year, passed when Democrats controlled both houses. Republicans gained control of New Hampshire’s Legislature in 2010, though it is not clear they could overturn the governor’s promised veto....
A recent poll by the University of New Hampshire Survey Center showed that support for gay marriage remains relatively strong. Fifty-nine percent of those polled said they are either strongly or somewhat opposed to repealing the gay marriage law, while 32 percent said they back repeal. Another 8 percent are neutral or don’t know. The poll results are largely unchanged from those of a year ago.
Supporters of same-sex marriage say the poll results underscore that people in New Hampshire support a practice already underway.
“People in New Hampshire don’t want to take rights way,’’ said Tyler Deaton, spokesman for Standing Up for New Hampshire Families, which backs gay marriage in New Hampshire....
Unless they happen to be COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS for UNIONS!
Maine’s repeal of legislatively approved gay marriage passed with 53 percent in favor, and 47 percent against repeal. But supporters of gay marriage say they have worked to change sentiment, going house to house and talking with voters about the issue.
They say that holding the vote in a presidential election year, too, will boost their chances of reversing the repeal, because more and younger voters tend to turn out for the quadrennial election.
Except that Obama has gotten old.
“We wouldn’t have made this decision [to put the matter to a vote] unless we felt we had a really good chance to win,’’ said Betsy Smith, executive director of EqualityMaine, which backs gay marriage.
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Also see: NJ Senate OKs gay marriage bill in milestone vote
New Jersey Senate flips to support gay marriage
Christie says he would veto gay marriage bill in New Jersey
NJ gov fires a zinger in feud over gay marriage
At least they can't get pregnant....
"Obama bends on birth control mandate; Church-tied organizations exempted; Insurers directed to fill coverage gap" by Brian C. Mooney | Globe Staff, February 11, 2012
With a compromise proposal, President Obama moved yesterday to quell opposition from some religious groups to mandatory and free coverage of birth control in the national health care overhaul law.
Following intense objections led by Catholic bishops and Republicans, the president said religious-affiliated institutions, such as hospitals and colleges, would not be forced to offer coverage but that insurers must offer free contraceptive coverage to the employees of such institutions.
“Religious liberty will be protected and a law that requires free preventative care will not discriminate against women,’’ Obama said in an announcement in the White House briefing room.
Under the proposed compromise, women would still be assured of access to birth control without paying copayments or higher premiums, but universities and hospitals affiliated with religions that object to contraception based on religious doctrine would be allowed to refuse to cover the services.
Were we not told above that Obama would not back down?
In those cases, insurance companies would be required to offer services without additional cost under the plan. Initially, the administration exempted only religious organizations themselves, such as churches or other houses of worship, from the mandate to include birth control in their insurance plans.
America’s Health Insurance Plans, the trade association for the health insurance industry, expressed “concern about the precedent this proposed rule would set’’ for insurers to have to absorb costs for coverage that employers have the right to exclude from the plans they offer....
If the health care indu$try is again$t Obama, he loses.
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"Bishops reject contraception compromise; Allies warned of response to birth control decision" by Erica Werner | Associated Press, February 12, 2012
Interesting edit on the headline as my printed paper's is "Obama failed to anticipate backlash."
WASHINGTON - It is not like he was not warned.
As President Obama considered a decision on birth control that would turn into an unexpected political nightmare, he heard it from inside and outside the White House: He risked a fierce backlash if he required religious employers to provide insurance coverage for contraception in violation of their beliefs.
During the course of months, Roman Catholic groups and officials spoke with White House aides, sent letters, and wrote opinion columns. Vice President Joe Biden and Obama’s then-chief of staff, Bill Daley, both Catholics, and other top administration officials spoke of the need to be aware of the consequences, given how Catholic groups would view the decision and how it would affect them.
In the end, that is where Obama came down.
What came next evidently surprised the White House.
There were furious protests from Catholic groups, including administration allies. Republicans, and even some Democrats, were outraged.
The rising furor threatened to overwhelm the president’s message and affect his reelection hopes.
Just so you know what is REALLY IMPORTANT, girls.
Related: Obama Has Found His Reelection Footing
Yeah, it is on the BACKS of WOMEN!
Obama announced a hasty and embarrassing backtrack Friday....
I thought he wasn't going to back dow.... oh, never mind.
And here I was hoping he would stand up to Israel.
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Related: GOP vows further battle on birth control
Obama Screws Over America’s Women To Appease Religious Fanatic Men
"Wonkette has fallen for Obama's trick. Obama could care less about women or the Catholic church. But Obama is desperate to lure the campaign debate away from the wars and the economy, because if voters are thinking about the wars and the economy come November than Obama will be studying the unemployment problem from a more personal perspective. So Obama and all the GOP candidates (except for Ron Paul) are hot and bothered to get the people worked up about abortion, church and state, illegal immigrants, gay marriage, or any other side issue that keeps people from looking at those things that affect ALL Americans' lives; the economy and the wars." -- Wake the Flock Up
Also see: US allows more combat-related jobs for women
You finally made it, ladies!
Oh, btw, Happy Valentine's Day, readers.
Next Day Update: Brown supports limiting health coverage on moral grounds
That won't win him any votes with the women around here.
Related: Donors from afar buoying Warren
Only a problem if it goes to Brown.
Sorry I'm not reading the Boston Globe anymore, dear readers.
Also see: Sunday Globe Special: This is Your Life, Elizabeth Warren
