I know I'm beating a lonely drum on this.  I have been informed that the Pittsburgh Democratic Senators voted in favor of the marriage protection amendment.  I've also been informed that I'm being a bit of whiny bitch for not congratulating them like the mainstream LGBT political groups are doing. 

I get that the groups have to play politics.  But last time I checked, I'm allowed to have my own opinions.  And I opine these are yet another bunch of spineless Democrats who want to have their cake and eat it, too. Its sheer genius really - a vote in favor of the watered down amendment keeps the homos all happy while giving them the ability to say that they voted to uphold traditional marriage. 

It is a political solution designed to keep their social moderate voters happy and keep them in office.  Keeping the constitution of Pennsylvania free from discrimination is ancillary to the overall plan. 

And when I disagree, object, complain, speak out, speak up or speak my mind (NOT A MIND!), I get the brush off b/c I'm not a good little girl who plays nice with the boys. 

Honey, if I wanted to play nice with the boys, I wouldn't need to worry about the definition of marriage. 

So we narrowly avoid the amendment (hopefully).   Now we'll continue to avoid naming the propensity of Pennsylvania Democrats to treat my life, my relationship and my civil rights as political trading cards.

Roll call should be out tomorrow.

h/t Fact-esque

Sarah MacLachlan gave away the $150,000 production video for her new video for the single "World on Fire" and made a video for $15.00.  The video shows the many cool things she was able to do with the money to help people living in poverty.  And its uplifting, not preachy.  Just setting a good example ...

The world's on fire and
It's more than I can handle
I'll tap into the water
(Try and bring my share)
I try to bring more
More than I can handle
(Bring it to the table)
Bring what I am able

The more we take, the less we become
A fortune of one that means less for some

Last night, Ledcat and I picked up a Political Junkie and headed down to the Funny Bone for some good ole fashioned political humor at a fundraiser for the Allegheny County Young Democrats.  Now we should be honest -- we went to see the comedians.  The YDAC aren't a very impressive lot from the get go --- check out their "latest issues" webpage for a classic example of what I mean.  And it was somewhat obvious after about oh ten minutes that they come across as the stuffy non-progressive quasi-Republican Democrats. You know what I mean--- white affluent people dressed in power clothes who don't laugh at abortion jokes. 

But I still gave them a donation b/c maybe just maybe they don't hate homos.  Whatever.

Anyway, the talent is why we went and talent is what we got.  Our good friend and staunch supporter John McIntire was there and in really good form -- he was very funny last night.  I think it was that he went beyond political commentary (at which he excels) and did some self-deprecating stuff that came off really well.  And that man can do some wicked ass funny impressions.  Granted we are completely biased on the issue but I the laughter of the other 26 people seemed genuine. (Yes 26 people turned out --- how's that for a base?)

Gene Collier of the Post-Gazette was there.  First time we've seen him and we found him funny as well in a more droll, observational way.  Maybe its because we aren't such Young Democrats and caught most of his cultural references?  Who knows.  I'd go see him again.

And, the true delight of the evening .... comedian Gab Bonesso.   All we've been hearing from McIntire of late has been "Gab this, Gab that, Gab is funny" blah blah blah.  So our expectations were super-high and she did not disappoint.   She is this wicked smart, razor sharp woman who had us in tears about marijuana and babysitting.  Yes, she is the one who told the abortion jokes which went over very well with the Correspondents but not so much the Young Republicans, er Democrats.  They did go over with the older hippie retreads in the crowd come to think of it.  Go to her website and catch her upcoming performances. 

Overall big fun.  Plus, we got to sit with City Councilman Bill Peduto.  I'm just enough of a geek to think that is really cool and be nervous about what to say to him.   After all he is THE progressive man.  And I don't want to look like some fawning sycophant.  Which I totally did, but I'm sure he's used to it. 

And I discovered that some of the people there are reading my blog.  Which made my night.  And mitigated the fact that it cost me $14.00 damn dollars for two pepsis.  No more Funnybone for us.  We'll stick with the Square Cafe.

The Senate stripped the language prohibiting civil unions and passed the legislation 38-12. Now the amended amendment heads back to the House for approval. 

The wingnuts are up in arms about the changes, believing that permitting civil unions is marriage by another name which discredits the entire attempt to preserve the sanctity of marriage from homosexual assault (PG). 

Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, said the "weaker" language of the Senate bill "won't give Pennsylvanians an opportunity to effectively defend the institution of marriage."

He claimed that civil unions "are marriages, for all intents and purposes," more often used by same-sex couples, and said both civil unions and gay marriages should be outlawed.

So some folks voted against it b/c it was too weak, while others voted against it b/c it was discrimination.

This is a good thing, don't get me wrong. I know the odds are very much against the two chambers passing the same bill by next Friday.  Which is a win for our side

But the issue still remains that some Democrats voted FOR the amendment in the first place.  Which demonstrates that there are too many spineless legislators who would sell us out -- sell our families out --- sell our civil rights out --- to pander to the right wing nutjobs.   

Still looking for roll call to identify said spineless cowards ... will post as soon as I find it.