News – Gay Marriage in Massachusetts

A good sign for the times, a nice precedent to add to the other states of the US and provinces of Canada that have declared the same.

US

Massachusetts’ highest court has struck down the state’s ban on gay marriage. Bush, of course, has vowed to fight it, through all legal recourse. The court, though, did stop short of demanding the state start issuing marriage licenses and, as is to be expected, the vote was a near even split. Expect homosexuality to be thrown back into the spotlight once more. The ruling will be on hold for 180 days for the legislature to catch up, but June weddings are already being planned. Slate has some more thoughts on this issue.

Heard that Michel Jackson’s ‘Neverland’ ranch was just raided by authorities? Well, it seems that they have an arrest warrant for him as well.

Arnold is laying out his plans to reverse California’s budget woes. $15 billion in bonds, he’s taking no salary for his job(like he needs it..) and working on cutting down government expenditures. There are some reservations about the bond issue, of course.

Iraq

Bush is going for a new UN resolution now, to endorse the decision to create a provisional government in June. So that’s the new deadline if this plan works. We’ll see what comes of things as that month rolls around. Russia is a little peeved that Bush didn’t’ consult any other country on this issue.

Current head of the Iraqi Governing Council, Jalal Talabani, is in Turkey looking to rebuild relations after the back and forth over Turkish troops entering the country.

The US military will be pulling out of Ramadi, leaving security in the hands of Iraqi police. Will the experiment work? This city is in the so called ‘Sunni triangle’. The results of this could be very significant.

Israel Palestine

A gunman from Jordan wounded five tourists at the border of Jordan and Israel. He was killed by guards. There has yet to be a claim of responsibility for this.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurie is meeting with five factions of militants in a bid to get another ceasefire. Being helpful, for once, Israeli leaders offered to stop the militant hunting if all attacks on Israelis stop. We can only hope this is achieved.

It’s easier to be gay in Israel than Arab. At the very least, there is that tolerance in Israel. A good thing, though overshadowed by other dark aspects.

Iran

Interesting. The IAEA’s head is criticizing the pending resolution on Iran’s past nuclear transgressions as too soft. Colon Powell details his objections as: “It did not have the trigger mechanisms in the case of further Iranian intransigence or difficulty,”. I can understand that. Boundaries in regard to relations do need to be defined. So that Iran won’t be surprised if they play coy and we get upset about it. I believe firmly in stating straight where the line is, so that no one can be surprised by the consequences of crossing it.

Turkey

The Synagogue suicide bombers have been named.

UK

Bush arrives to ceremony and protest. And a tabloid reporting they snuck a reporter into the staff, questioning the high level of security generated for this visit. Though the event is downplayed by officials. One thing you have to admit.. those Brits have some creative means of protest. Puts the anti-war stuff we did over here in the US to shame. Well done.

An adults only science opened yesterday in London. This being a place where adults are encouraged to debate the honest, most controversial issues in the realm of science. I must say, there need to be many places like this.. this is an encouraging establishment.

General

A chickenpox vaccine has been declared safe for nursing mothers whoa re susceptible to the affliction.. Good news indeed.

The US is testing a new Ebola vaccine on people. Though the disease is rare, this would be a good defense to add to the defenses of every country in the world.

China unveils the EVD, there hope for the replacement of DVD. Analysts doubt it will catch on.

How to outsmart Wal-Mart

Day to Day: Jurisprudence: Massachusetts Gay Marriage Ruling

Explainer tells how starts get their names on the walk of fame.

Is there too much sex in Britney Spears’ new album? I won’t know, because I don’t buy her music. But if you’ve got an opinion, I’d love to hear it.

Today’s Papers has a note of Erin Brockovich’s latest crusade, the pork filled energy bill passing through the House, contention between if the bombings in Tikrit are being well spotted or not and more.

Amusements

The democratic candidates and who’s inhaled.

Fark Photoshop Challenge: Turn well known people into the living dead

Legislators demand beer logos be removed from historic aerobatics plane on display at the Smithsonian’s new aviation museum. Think it will cause young visitors to drink.

Man tied naked to the front of a fraternity house.