Raven's Roost

Sign the petition to protect the right of choice...

2009-11-13T20:52:09Z

I know some of my friends out there are not supporters of abortion... and I respect that as a personal choice. Personally, I hope never to have need to get one, and would most likely not have one, even if presented with the opportunity/situation, unless my life was threatened. HOWEVER. I am vehemently opposed to others telling me I do not have the right to make this adult choice. I an vehemently opposed to those who would try to get rid of abortion by making it dangerous and unafordable. How about making it unnecesary, instead?

Appending an abortion ban of healthcare covereage is nasty polititcing that will come at the expense of the poor. These are the women, when faced with a terrible choice, who will take matters into their own hands, sometimes literally.

There are ways to fight something you believe is wrong... but fighting it like this is petty, cruel, and evil.... IM(NS)HO.

Therefore I present this letter and link from Planned Parenthood.. there is no request for funding here... just a please for names on a petition. Bright Blessings, all!

Raven

*****
Bad news for women's health -- please help!

The health care reform bill that recently passed in the House of
Representatives includes a ban on abortion coverage for millions
of women with private health insurance and would also prohibit
coverage in the new public option, even if they are paying for
most or even all of the cost themselves. It's a complete
betrayal of women, and we can't let it be part of the final
bill.

Leaders in Congress and the White House have the power to put a
stop to the discriminatory Stupak amendment -- and it's up to us
to make sure they do so. Join me and Planned Parenthood in
urging President Obama, Majority Leader Reid, and Speaker Pelosi
to eliminate the Stupak ban and protect women's health. Click
here:
http://bit.ly/PPFutureOfChoice
*******************************

This truly is a fight women can't afford to lose, and it's so
important for people like you to stand up and speak out. Every
time you contact President Obama and leaders in Congress, every
conversation you have with friends, family, and coworkers, every
single thing you do to defend women's health and right to choose
matters. Thank you so much for being with us today.

Thank you so very much in advance.
Sincerely,

Cecile Richards, President
Planned Parenthood Federation of America

NOW HIRING: Rockville, MD

2009-10-09T18:07:30Z

My company, Discovery Logic, is looking for the following:

Microsoft .NET Engineers : Responsible for the design, implementation and maintenance of high-profile web applications using the .NET platform in a dynamic fast-paced work environment.

~Expertise with C#, ASP.NET, Web Services, Windows Forms and SQL Server.

~BS or MS in Computer Science or a related field.

~Ability to work as part of a small agile development team.

~Excellent oral and written communication skills.

If you have these skills, we need you! Please contact me at : ravenskald (at) gmail (dot) com
Yes, I could earn a nifty bonus if you get the job and stay for at least 90 days.. but DL is a great place to work, and the job provides great stability, which is so very important in todays economy!

ravenrose @ 2009-10-08T12:02:00

2009-10-08T16:02:58Z

15:24 If the scale has not gone completely batshit, my weightloss now stands at 53lbs. #

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ravenrose @ 2009-08-31T12:01:00

2009-08-31T16:01:39Z

11:32 How Pure Are You? - tinyurl.com/5pscv2 - You Are 4% Pure #blogthings #
11:32 @chickgonebad Got ya beat, twin! #

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ravenrose @ 2009-08-29T12:02:00

2009-08-29T16:02:06Z

16:25 @artful_username I will bring a spare horn. #

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A marriage like any other...

2009-08-27T20:40:04Z

This was sent to me through Equality MD, and was originally run as an Op-Ed piece in the Washington Post. All I can say is... Amen.

A Marriage Like Any Other
By Rich Madaleno
Kensington

In 2002, I became the first openly gay person elected to the Maryland General Assembly. It was important to me to be straightforward about who I was while not being pigeonholed as “the gay guy.” I immersed myself in my role as a public servant, focused on my constituents and worked hard. As time passed, people began to see me as “the budget guy,” or as an advocate for education, addiction treatment or developmental disability programs, or simply as Rich. My colleagues also came to know my husband, Mark.

Seven years have helped me to transcend being defined by my sexual orientation. But seven years, two wonderful children and a church wedding later, my husband and I are still denied the fundamental protections of civil marriage. Anyone who has ever stood up for his or her family will understand why the risk of being viewed as “the gay senator” can no longer keep me from speaking out. Achieving the freedom to marry, and removing a restriction that impedes the development of secure families, is a matter of fundamental social justice that needs vocal champions.

This year and last, with 52 of my colleagues, I introduced legislation to allow people to enter into civil marriage contracts regardless of gender. Unfortunately, this bill has yet to appear on a voting list in either chamber. This legislative inertia doesn’t have to be the end of the story, as I will explain in a moment. But, at a personal level, it has caused me to rethink this basic aspect of my public service: Until more legislators are willing to stand with me, there is no question that I must speak on behalf of my family and the thousands like us. As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “Truth ..... must be clothed with flesh and blood, or it cannot tell its whole story.”

It will soon be 10 years since Mark and I were set up on a fateful blind date and eight years since our wedding at Cedar Lane Unitarian Universalist Church in Bethesda. Do we have a marriage license? No. But marriage is more than a legal document. The foundation of ours is the commitment we made, before our families and religious community, to build a life together and to be there for one another in good times and bad. The root of our marriage isn’t a license but our son and daughter, our families, our home, our memories and our dreams. But make no mistake — a marriage license would mean vital rights and responsibilities for our family, especially during turbulent financial times, and in matters related to health care, child-rearing, social services, retirement and, though we do not relish the thought, the time when one of us leaves this life for something greater.

In Maryland, instead of allowing us to legally marry, the General Assembly has passed a few limited bills to placate us “domestic partners,” as we are referred to in law. We appreciate the 10 to 15 rights of marriage now within our reach. But with 400-plus rights of marriage bestowed by the state and more than a thousand bestowed by the federal government, it is clear that no arrangement other than civil marriage will achieve equal protection under the law or erase the sting to our personhood that results from denying us the freedom to marry.

Gaining this support in the General Assembly may take time. But there is a way in which Maryland can move forward immediately.

While Maryland does not allow same-gender couples to legalize their relationships here, many such couples in our state are already legally married. Some had destination weddings in a pro-equality state such as Vermont or Massachusetts; others were married before moving to Maryland for work or family. Recently, I asked for an opinion from Attorney General Doug Gansler regarding whether Maryland should follow the District and New York and honor these legal marriages. Having reviewed our case law, I believe we have a legal obligation to do just that. In the past, Maryland has, as a legal principle, honored marriages performed elsewhere even when those marriages could not have been performed here. A government should not dissolve a validly contracted marriage without even one party requesting it.

The fact that the legislature is crippled by inaction on this issue does not end Maryland’s responsibility to the law. With the stroke of a pen, Gansler and Gov. Martin O’Malley can help to bring peace and security to thousands of Maryland families.

Mark and I would prefer to make it “official” in Maryland rather than traveling to New England. But until more of my colleagues in the General Assembly make it possible for gays and lesbians to legally marry here, we could at least take heart in knowing that our marriage was honored by our state. Whatever road it takes to get there, this “gay guy” looks forward to the day when his family is like any other, and when future generations have no understanding of what it was like before all Americans had the freedom to marry the person they love.

The writer, a Democrat, represents the 18th District in the Maryland Senate.

ravenrose @ 2009-08-25T12:06:00

2009-08-25T16:06:20Z

17:04 @Leraje I miss you... we have not talked in ages. Let's fix that... #

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ravenrose @ 2009-08-19T12:04:00

2009-08-19T16:04:57Z

14:40 What is with all the spammers trying to follow me? Block Block Block! Trust me, I ain't calling your 900 number or giving you my credit card #

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ravenrose @ 2009-08-18T12:10:00

2009-08-18T16:10:19Z

08:55 Is pissed-off that no-one on the Marc would offer Scott a seat last night, even though he was clearly on a cane, and hurting. Nice, people! #
11:13 @arachne8x You know who did offer him a seat... a *78 year old* man from his office... naturally, Scott declined that... for cripes sake... #

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ravenrose @ 2009-06-16T12:07:00

2009-06-16T16:07:21Z

16:31 Another 10 lbs bites the dust! WOOT! #

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In Memorium: David Carradine

2009-06-04T18:35:55Z

I am deeply saddened by the apparant suicide of David Carradine.

When I was young, I stumbled upon an episode of Kung-Fu. I was instantly fascinated by the Shaolin philosophies, and the wandering monk in the Wild West... and later, when I read about Bruce Lee and how the part was written for him but given to Carradine... and how Carradine has always acknowledged that and credited Bruce Lee for the concept, the martial arts, and the insight into eastern culture... well... that solidified my case of Carradine-worship right then and there.

Carradine's adherence to Kung-fu and Shaolin philosphy extended beyond his TV career. He made a series of instructional DVDs, and wrote a book about his attempt to integrate Shaolin philosophy into his life. The videos were not great... but they kept my interest going...

I am not sure what made this man appearently take his own life... but I wish him luck on the next step of his enlightenment, wherever he is.

Thank you, Grasshopper...

ravenrose @ 2009-06-04T12:06:00

2009-06-04T16:06:20Z

16:47 @Leraje Hmmm... I will happily crawl under there :-) #

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YES.

2009-06-03T12:59:51Z

LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL, AND TRANSGENDER PRIDE MONTH, 2009
- - - - - - -
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION

Forty years ago, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City resisted police harassment that had become all too common for members of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Out of this resistance, the LGBT rights movement in America was born. During LGBT Pride Month, we commemorate the events of June 1969 and commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans.

LGBT Americans have made, and continue to make, great and lasting contributions that continue to strengthen the fabric of American society. There are many well-respected LGBT leaders in all professional fields, including the arts and business communities. LGBT Americans also mobilized the Nation to respond to the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic and have played a vital role in broadening this country's response to the HIV pandemic.

Due in no small part to the determination and dedication of the LGBT rights movement, more LGBT Americans are living their lives openly today than ever before. I am proud to be the first President to appoint openly LGBT candidates to Senate-confirmed positions in the first 100 days of an Administration. These individuals embody the best qualities we seek in public servants, and across my Administration -- in both the White House and the Federal agencies -- openly LGBT employees are doing their jobs with distinction and professionalism.

The LGBT rights movement has achieved great progress, but there is more work to be done. LGBT youth should feel safe to learn without the fear of harassment, and LGBT families and seniors should be allowed to live their lives with dignity and respect.

My Administration has partnered with the LGBT community to advance a wide range of initiatives. At the international level, I have joined efforts at the United Nations to decriminalize homosexuality around the world. Here at home, I continue to support measures to bring the full spectrum of equal rights to LGBT Americans. These measures include enhancing hate crimes laws, supporting civil unions and Federal rights for LGBT couples, outlawing discrimination in the workplace, ensuring adoption rights, and ending the existing "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in a way that strengthens our Armed Forces and our national security. We must also commit ourselves to fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic by both reducing the number of HIV infections and providing care and support services to people living with HIV/AIDS across the United States.

These issues affect not only the LGBT community, but also our entire Nation. As long as the promise of equality for all remains unfulfilled, all Americans are affected. If we can work together to advance the principles upon which our Nation was founded, every American will benefit. During LGBT Pride Month, I call upon the LGBT community, the Congress, and the American people to work together to promote equal rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2009 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon the people of the United States to turn back discrimination and prejudice everywhere it exists.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this first day of June, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.

BARACK OBAMA

[It is a good step forward. I can only hope that we make more progress, in part in thanks to the attitude of the Office of the President. I just hope they don't say "Look, we did THIS!" and stop there, satisfied they have done enough... If they do, I will continue to fight tooth and nail until Love is Love is Love ~Raven]

Writer's Block: There Can Be Only One

2009-05-26T17:19:05Z

Do you believe in monogamy?

View 501 Answers

Sure, if that is what you want... I also believe is open, honest, loving polyamory. I do not have a "Love limit". I am not going to run out of love... Love is a renewable, unlimited resource.

ravenrose @ 2009-05-24T12:06:00

2009-05-24T16:06:52Z

13:51 Having an epically lazy and cuddly afternoon... #

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ravenrose @ 2009-05-22T12:10:00

2009-05-22T16:10:50Z

16:36 @mikitracey Of course, I am fine... I am under a Doctors care and he is thrilled. #

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ravenrose @ 2009-05-21T12:08:00

2009-05-21T16:08:23Z

16:59 I have lost 23 pounds in 6 weeks. If found, please do not return! #

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Taking the Fat Elevator DOWN..Yay!

2009-05-20T20:56:49Z

Six weeks ago I started a Dr. monitored diet. I was bemused, because the diet could be renamed the "Almost-Everything-Your-Grandma-Told-You-About-Nutrition-Was-True Diet".

1. Eat Less Food (portion control)

2. Follow Dr. Anchor's Pyramid: More fruit (except bananas), More Veggies (except potatos), Lean Protein at every meal, minimize starches/bad carbs.

3. Drink More Water

4. Weigh yourself every morning

5. Do not snack. Eat meals.

6. Happiness comes from people...eat with friends or family whenever possible.

At the six week mark: I have lost 23 pounds.
I take Phen-Pro to help reduce hunger.. but I am not that hungry between meals anymore. I noticed that on the days I forgot to take the pills.
I have more energy... Yay energy.
So... keep routing me on, my friends... I have a long way to go, but I am inspired!

Also, in other news... if you can spare a few bucks to help a friend out... : http://mohnkern.livejournal.com/468766.html?#cutid1

ravenrose @ 2009-04-11T12:13:00

2009-04-11T16:13:52Z

20:23 Waiting for a French-Canadian at National... Woohoo! #

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What's Your Celtic Animal?

2009-03-17T20:00:04Z

Your Animal is the Cat

You are independent to the point of being stubborn. You stick to your values.
You are loyal, trustworthy, and honest. You are very devoted to your family.

You are aloof towards those you don't know well, but you are affectionate with those you are close to.
You are a creative, sensual, and mysterious person. You are agile and flexible.

What's Your Celtic Animal?

Tweets for Today

2009-03-08T16:03:46Z

08:13 I have sprung forward! Poing! #

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Tweets for Today

2009-03-07T17:03:29Z

15:55 Downloaded Twitterberry...look out world! #
15:58 Finshed uploading! #
16:00 @artful_username YES! Fear me! #

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Running marathons in my head...

2009-03-06T21:16:03Z

A little bit of sunshine
A little bit of booze
A little bit of me
And a little bit of you
A little bit country
A little bit of blues
A slice of heaven
And a little piece of you... come on

Alcohaulin' ass
Pour another drink in my glass
Alcohaulin' ass
Alcohaul... in' ass

A little bit thirsty
A little bit used
A little bit of whiskey
And a little pinch of chew
A little bit tired
And a bad attitude
A little bit of drinkin
And another piece of you

Alcohaulin' ass
Pour another drink in my glass
Alcohaulin' ass
Alcohaulin'
Alcohaulin'

You drove me to it
So there was nothing I could do
You pushed me down
Split me right in two
Now I found the long hard road
Carried the weight of you
Boy oh boy god damn
Only one thing left to do

Alcohaulin' ass
Pour another drink in my glass
Alcohaulin' ass
Pour another drink in my glass
Alcohaul... in' ass

Here it is if you wanna hear it... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lOCVmprPbE&feature=related

Movie Meme

2009-02-25T20:44:29Z

Oscar nominees over the last 28 years... bold the ones you've seen, regardless if you saw them in the movie theater, on TV, on cable or on an airplane...

1980. Ordinary People, Coal Miner's Daughter, The Elephant Man, Raging Bull, Tess
1981. Chariots of Fire, Reds, Atlantic City, On Golden Pond, Raiders of the Lost Ark
1982. Gandhi, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Missing, Tootsie, The Verdict
1983. Terms of Endearment, The Big Chill, The Dresser, The Right Stuff, Tender Mercies
1984. Amadeus, The Killing Fields, A Passage to India, Places in the Heart, A Soldier's Story
1985. Out of Africa, The Color Purple, Kiss of the Spider Woman, Prizzi's Honor, Witness
1986. Platoon, Children of a Lesser God, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Mission, A Room with a View
1987. The Last Emperor, Broadcast News, Fatal Attraction, Hope and Glory, Moonstruck
1988. Rain Man, The Accidental Tourist, Dangerous Liaisons, Mississippi Burning, Working Girl
1989. Driving Miss Daisy, Born on the Fourth of July, Dead Poets Society, Field of Dreams, My Left Foot
1990. Dances with Wolves, Awakenings, Ghost, The Godfather Part III
1991. The Silence of the Lambs, Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy, JFK, The Prince of Tides
1992. Unforgiven, The Crying Game, A Few Good Men, Howards End, Scent of a Woman
1993. Schindler's List, The Fugitive, In the Name of the Father, The Piano, The Remains of the Day
1994. Forrest Gump, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pulp Fiction, Quiz Show, The Shawshank Redemption
1995. Braveheart, Apollo 13, Babe, Il Postino (The Postman), Sense and Sensibility
1996. The English Patient, Fargo, Jerry Maguire, Secrets & Lies, Shine
1997. Titanic, As Good as It Gets, The Full Monty, Good Will Hunting, L.A. Confidential
1998. Shakespeare in Love, Elizabeth, Life Is Beautiful (La vita è bella), Saving Private Ryan, The Thin Red Line
1999. American Beauty, The Cider House Rules, The Green Mile, The Insider, The Sixth Sense
2000. Gladiator, Chocolat, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Erin Brockovich, Traffic
2001. A Beautiful Mind, Gosford Park, In the Bedroom, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Moulin Rouge
2002. Chicago, Gangs of New York, The Hours, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Pianist
2003. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Lost in Translation, Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World, Mystic River, Seabiscuit
2004. Million Dollar Baby, The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Ray, Sideways
2005. Crash, Brokeback Mountain, Capote, Good Night and Good Luck, Munich
2006. The Departed, Babel, Letters from Iwo Jima, Little Miss Sunshine, The Queen
2007. No Country for Old Men, Atonement, Juno, Michael Clayton, There Will Be Blood
2008. Slumdog Millionaire, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Frost/Nixon, Milk, The Reader

You can tell moviegoing for me has dropped off in the last few years...

Writer's Block: Daily Grind

2009-02-24T16:58:56Z

Describe your morning routine.

Submitted By its_miley

View 501 Answers

6:00 Alarm 1:Roll over and grumble
6:10 Alarm 2:Actually get up
6:15 Stagger to basement to perform morning ablutions and find clothes
6:30 Stagger back upstairs to pull on socks and shoes, and get coat.
6:35-6:45 Drive BaldOne to the Metro
7:10 Get back home
7:15 Get on Second Life to clear messages and say hello to friends in Australia who have just gotten home from work.
7:40 Pry myself off the computer, and Drive mohnkern to the MARC station.
7:55 Drive to 7-11 for breakfast and coffee.
8:00 Hit the Highway, headed for work
8:30-ish Get to the office when there is no traffic
8:38-ish Get to the office on a normal day
8:45-ish Get to office if there is moderate traffic

anything later-ish just sucks to mention...lol