a victory

shortformblog:

cognitivedissonance:

Recently, Public Policy Polling sought to discover just how low the public’s opinion of Congress had fallen, testing the popularity of the U.S. Congress against twenty-six different, typically unpopular things. We all know that the American people have a less-than-favorable opinion of Congress (9% favorable and 85% unfavorable), but damn. The results weren’t pretty.

Here’s the outcome of PPP’s survey, in a handy illustrated form, from most to least popular thing:

#1:

 vs. 

When presented with a choice between Congress or Brussels sprouts, respondents gave a higher favorable rating to Brussels sprouts (69%) versus Congress (23%). [more]

Be sure to check out Meg’s full list, which is freaking awesome.

gaywrites:

These are not good times for anyone affiliated with the National Organization for Marriage, and not surprisingly, that includes Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

Documents circulated by the Human Rights Campaign show that Romney donated $10,000 to NOM a few years ago, a contribution that may well have made a huge impact when NOM was fighting for Prop 8. A while back Romney also signed a pledge from NOM promising to fight marriage equality in this country.

More info on the current NOM controversy:

As a donor and presumably a member of NOM, since a portion of all donations automatically goes toward membership dues, it’s possible that the Romney campaign saw the “confidential” memo in which NOM outlines its strategy to “drive a wedge between gays and blacks — two key Democratic constituencies.”

HRC and others are calling on Romney to denounce NOM. But as a 2012 candidate he’s signed a pledge from the group that commits him to its ideals, including a ban on marriage equality via an amendment to the U.S. Constitution, an effort to repeal marriage equality in Washington, D.C., and the formation of a presidential commission to investigate NOM’s opponents.

Crazy stuff. I will never stop saying it: do your research before going to vote in November.

(via wordpainting)

(via inothernews)

gaywrites:

Homosexuality may soon be punishable by death in Uganda, where an anti-gay bill first introduced in 2009 has been revived for another round of consideration.

David Bahati’s “anti-homosexuality” bill proposes the death penalty for certain “homosexual acts.” Originally introduced in October 2009, it drew worldwide criticism, including threats from countries to cut foreign aid, and was eventually shelved. 

But lo and behold, Bahati has brought the bill back again, claiming it’s “necessary” to protect the citizens of Uganda. I disagree wildly. So does Amnesty International, one of the first groups to have spoken out against the bill’s revival. 

“It aims to criminalize the ‘promotion’ of homosexuality, compels HIV testing in some circumstances, and imposes life sentences for entering into a same-sex marriage,” Amnesty International said in a statement Tuesday. “It would also be an offense for a person who is aware of any violations of the bill’s wide-ranging provisions not to report them to the authorities within 24 hours.”

Homosexuality is illegal in most African countries, where sodomy laws were introduced during colonialism. In Uganda, homosexual acts are punishable by 14 years to life in prison, according to rights activists.

This is absolutely terrifying - for the second time - and we will not let it go through. I’m sure leaders across the world will be speaking out soon.