by Charles Harker [courtesy of Blog for America]

Without question the US has the best military and the finest soldiers but what our misguided president does not realize is that these wars he so loves cannot be won with bombs and bullets, to truly win these wars we need something of which he is unfamiliar. We need people who truly believe in our principles, in equality and that democracy is best. That's where we come in, we are the ones who fight to keep and change and improve this system, As good as it is, it can always be better

by Mark Prime [courtesy of Blog for America]

I compel you to love your country.

To draw her into your arms ever so tenderly,
To embrace her softly, dearly to your heart,
To huddle close, near together her masses,
And sense her least sustained yearning.

I compel you to love your country.

A nation that lifted the breast of humanity
Caressing it tenderly toward equality’s rapture
With gentle fingers of selfless, searing desire
Exploring over her ever toward paradise.

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[courtesy of California Progress Report]

By Vivek Malhotra

Newly married, Michael and Diana decided that they wanted to share one family name. To them, it was a deeply personal decision, but a simple change: Michael Buday would take his wife’s last name, Bijon, as his own. Little did they know the fuss it would cause.

Their challenge against a government that refused to officially recognize Michael’s choice to take his wife’s name has inspired state legislation to codify the rights of men and women alike to make their own name choices upon marriage or domestic partnership. The bill, AB 102, was introduced this year by San Francisco Assembly member Fiona Ma, and is co-sponsored by the ACLU and Equality California.

It all started with a Los Angeles County marriage license application, divided right down the middle of the page into “Groom’s Personal Data,” and “Bride’s Personal Data.” On the bride’s side were spaces to indicate both her birth and current names, but no similar option for the groom to indicate a change in name. Excited about their impending nuptials, Michael and Diana filled out the form to the best of their ability, and decided they would make sure the name change was recorded accurately on their official license.