Unclear if Victims Remain in CT Plant

A fire official said Monday that it remains unclear whether everyone is accounted for after a massive explosion that killed at least five people at an under-construction power plant.

Middletown Deputy Fire Marshal Al Santostefano had said Sunday night that officials believed no one was missing amid the rubble. But on Monday morning he said rescue crews still haven’t been able to search a section of the plant that remains unstable, and it was impossible to know if there were victims in that area.

Gov. M. Jodi Rell said Monday morning that officials still haven’t received rosters of workers who were at the Kleen Energy Systems plant Sunday, and Santostefano said he didn’t know when emergency crews would be able to search the unstable area.

More at: News Times!

Analysis: Gay Marriage and the US Constitution

Within this decade, a major step to equality has occurred in much of the world. Same sex marriage is now allowed in Canada and most nations in Western Europe. In 2008, two state supreme courts, in California and Connecticut, held that gays and lesbians have the right to marry. They joined Massachusetts as the first states in this country to provide for marriage equality. Until California voters amended the California Constitution in November to outlaw same sex marriage, over one in eight people in the United States lived in a state where same sex marriage was allowed.

Why does this matter? Most studies estimate that about one tenth of the population is gay. Laws in every state traditionally have provided enormous benefits to married couples that were unavailable to others.

More at: Gayapolis!

Connecticut Celebrates One-Year of Marriage

November 12, 2008 was the first day that Gay and Lesbian couples were able to legally wed in Connecticut, and to mark the one year anniversary of ending marriage discrimination in the state, many LGBT citizens will be gathering at Connecticut’s Capitol to commemorate the day.

Two advocacy groups, Love Makes a Family along with Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders have organized the event and have asked married and engaged couples from across the state to be at the Capitol’s north steps this afternoon for a group photo, which will be followed by a celebration in the Capitol’s Old Judiciary Room.

Over 1,700 same-sex couples have married in Connecticut since Nov. 12, 2008, as that was the date Connecticut became the second, joining Massachusetts in ending marriage discrimination.

One year later, the divorce rate hasn’t skyrocketed, “gay marriage” isn’t being taught in schools, the heterosexual marriage rate hasn’t decreased and no churches or pastors have been sued or jailed for not performing same-sex weddings or preaching against homosexuality.

Karaoke Smack Down: Can’t Sing? Then Don’t!

This is a prime example of how crazy it is in the world these days.  I blame this one on Glenn Beck, Michele Malkin, Bill O’Reilly, Laura Ingraham, Rush Limbaugh and all the other right wing lunatics who can’t report to save their @ss.  People have to vent their frustrations somewhere, and since they can’t reach through the TV or Radio and beat the living hell out of these right wing liars who can’t report…they have taken their violence out on those who can’t sing…and are in arms reach.

From ConnPost.com: (click link to read entire post)

Police arrested six women and charged them in the assault of a 25-year-old woman following an argument over her singing performance during karaoke night at a a downtown bar and restaurant.

Stamford police Lt. Sean Cooney said the six women ages 19 to 20 made derogatory comments about the woman’s singing ability — or lack thereof — and then repeatedly punched, kicked and pulled the hair of the victim before leaving Bobby Valentine’s Sports Gallery and Cafe on Main Street.

The victim suffered a chipped tooth and numerous bruises, Cooney said. She was treated and released from Stamford Hospital.

In an telephone interview Thursday, the alleged victim, Leidy Alcantara, said she had just sung “A Dios Le Pido” by Colombian pop superstar Juanes and then stood next to the karaoke disc jockey. As she sang along to another performer’s song, one of the women began exchanging words with her, she said.

Then it turned violent, she said.

“She came up to me and said I was annoying and punched me in the face,” Alcantara said.

The opening statement was not meant with malice towards the victim in this case.  I do not condone violence, nor wish to incite it.  However, I do believe those right wing nuts have caused tempers to flair in this nation and many instances of violence are a direct result of their inability to participate in the economic recession.

Dodd Reverses Support in Favor of Marriage Equality

Senator Christopher J. Dodd, Democrat of Connecticut, has changed his position on gay marriage, announcing over the weekend that he now supports it.

Mr. Dodd, who finds himself in a tough fight for reelection next year, had already backed civil unions, but had rejected endorsing gay marriage during his campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2008.

His reversal comes on the heels of growing upset among gay activists toward President Obama and his administration, many of whom called the president’s decision last week to extend partnership benefits extension as a minor move.

Read the rest at the The Caucus!

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