3 Ocak 2013 Perşembe

India: Rape Victim Dies, Government 'waiting on reaction' To Act

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As the world mourns the death of the young woman brutally assaulted, raped and thrown from a moving bus transgender people worldwide wonder. How will this affect trans people in India? Will the government need a riot to punish the perpetrators? And what about the social climate that not only allows this to happen but punishes the victims as well?

My hope is that this will help awaken India to the root causes that allow a society to ignore rape. India's misogynisticpatriarchal and transphobic society must change. Respect for woman isn't optional, it's necessary if India is serious about stopping this from reoccurring.

The Indian gang rape victim whose assault in New Delhi triggered nationwide protests died of her injuries on Saturday in a Singapore hospital, potentially threatening fresh protests in India where her case is a rallying point for women's rights. The 23-year-old medical student, severely beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus in New Delhi two weeks ago, had been flown to Singapore in a critical condition by the Indian government on Thursday for specialist treatment. Al Jazeera's Divya Gopalan reports on the latest from New Delhi.









NH AG Issues Opinion: Transwoman Stacie Laughton May Not Run For Office.

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Laughton made a huge deal of resigning then stated she was running
again, to fill the seat she had just vacated.
An opinion from New Hampshire Attorney General Michael Delaney issued Monday states that Stacie Laughton may not run to fill the seat she vacated after her past criminal history was revealed earlier this year.

Is this finally over? Laughton says she is planning to remove her name from contention.

I couldn't believe it when Laughton said she was running to fill the seat she hadn't even officially taken. Well, she forced the hand and I just hope this is the end of this mess.
Read more at NPR A.G.: Criminal History Bars Nashua Transgender Woman From Holding Office




Video; Russian Duma LGBT Kiss in Met With Violence And Arrests

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Гомофобы и полици� попытали�ь �орвать флешмоб против прин�ти� гомофобного закона у здани� Го�удар�твенной Думы. 19 декабр� 2012, видео Дмитри� Зыкова дл� www.grani.ru

Police and homophobes tried to disrupt and FlashMob against homophobic law outside the State Duma. December 19, 2012, Dmitry Zykova for www.grani.ru videos

Arrested at the kiss in was one of my favorite journalists Elena Kostyuchenko who writes for Novaya Gazeta one of the last remaining free press outlets in Putin's Russia.



Read more at Gay Star News



Missourians for Equality Novel Approach: Please Vote On Our Rights

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Referendum.  The word send chills up the backs of most traditional civil rights advocates. The threat of a popular vote is always a consideration when advancing LGBT rights. It's a tool occasionally used successfully by anti LGBT groups to defeat progress we achieve by city council and legislative means.

Voting on a minority's rights by the majority is problematic at best. If it were not for the discrimination faced by said minority the issue wouldn't have come up in the first place.

Or so we thought. The new kids on the block, Missourians for Equality have received State approval to begin collecting the 105,000 petition signatures needed for a state wide vote in 2014.

I asked Aaron Malin, executive director of Missourians for Equality this morning about this novel approach who said "We see this a viable method since millions of Missourians are already living under such protections the fear factor disappeared. Our efforts will be much like the recent Maine Marriage vote. Addressing the more contentious subject of transgender protections Arron said "A recent poll indicates 64% favor same sex marriage and we think those same people will support gender identity protections as well."

As for religious organizations potential opposition Arron's group is taking a preemptive approach by asking for enhanced protections for religious freedom as well.

As far as the established Missouri group's non support of the ballot initiative Arron replied " Promo is using a different, incremental path towards equality. They have done much of the groundwork but we don't see this happening in the states legislature. We look to expound on Promo's work for a statewide vote. And if we fail there is always the more traditional path. In any case we see the vote as a good thing."

Show me Show Me State!


On facebook Missourians for Equality



Mobile Health Unit for November

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Here is a local resource you might want to know about. This is a service of the MTMC in Murfreesboro.


The Mobile Health Unit Collaborative is a reflection of MTMC's Mission which calls us to "improve the health of individuals and communities" and to have "special attention to the poor and the vulnerable."  This Collaborative effort helps achieve access to health care, helping overcome barriers and obstacles.  MTMC, as a faith-based institution, is motivated by the principles of Human Dignity and the Common Good.  These same principles are shared by our collaborative partners:  The Guidance Center, Primary Care & Hope Clinic, Saint Thomas Corporate and Community Medicine, and Saint Thomas Emergency Services and Event Medicine. 
The Mobile Health Unit is in service four days per week.  We are available to serve during these hours of operation, and we are happy to answer questions at any time.


For those in Smyrna the service will be local on the following dates.

November 
Primary Care & Hope Clinic
Tuesday, November 27th: Smyrna Middle, 8 - 3

The Guidance Center
Thursday, November 8th: Smyrna Middle, 8 - 12
Thursday, November 15th: Wherry Housing, 8 - 12

2 Ocak 2013 Çarşamba

India: Rape Victim Dies, Government 'waiting on reaction' To Act

To contact us Click HERE
As the world mourns the death of the young woman brutally assaulted, raped and thrown from a moving bus transgender people worldwide wonder. How will this affect trans people in India? Will the government need a riot to punish the perpetrators? And what about the social climate that not only allows this to happen but punishes the victims as well?

My hope is that this will help awaken India to the root causes that allow a society to ignore rape. India's misogynisticpatriarchal and transphobic society must change. Respect for woman isn't optional, it's necessary if India is serious about stopping this from reoccurring.

The Indian gang rape victim whose assault in New Delhi triggered nationwide protests died of her injuries on Saturday in a Singapore hospital, potentially threatening fresh protests in India where her case is a rallying point for women's rights. The 23-year-old medical student, severely beaten, raped and thrown out of a moving bus in New Delhi two weeks ago, had been flown to Singapore in a critical condition by the Indian government on Thursday for specialist treatment. Al Jazeera's Divya Gopalan reports on the latest from New Delhi.









Patrick Bonnett of Omaha Liberty Project Busted. Religious Rights Are Protected.

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The amendment to Omaha's anti-discrimination ordinance protecting LGBT people passed in 2012 is under attack by a organization which portends to represent many local churches. The Liberty Project has begun a petition to rescind the new law.

Patrick Bonnett of Omaha Liberty Project told Channel 6 News, "Ordinances like this lead to unintended consequences and those consequences lead to discrimination against religious liberties, religious freedoms of speech, rights of conscience and we oppose that."

Bonnett's real fear is that non religious business owners (where his bread is buttered) will be compelled to place the city's laws above there own fears. Bonnett hopes by misinforming and fear mongering he will persuade enough people to sign the petition and force a public vote on a minorities rights.

Dispelling the lies. Omaha's laws:

The Liberty Project petition tells potential signers that the law now says:


Source: Liberty Project

Rhetorical question: Would the liberty project, religious bookstores or Churches deny me employment if I asked to sweep there floors before this amendment was passed? How about after it's passage?

In case Omaha's Church's don't all ready do discriminate this the ordnance makes it clear that they do have the right to discriminate against me:


Source: Omaha Municipal Codes.

What about jobs other than ministering?

A church's membership obviously would decline so keeping it clean, mowing or shoveling snow would be considered essential to it's religious activity.

Administration and clerical duties would suffer if a godless transgender person like myself were to sabotage it, so of course that position is essential to a churches religious function.

The truth is most LGBT people have a spiritual belief. Many including myself attend a religious gathering and it has always been our practice to insure those religious rights are protected.

I will ask the good people of Omaha to consider this. Transgender people were spoken about three times in the Bible. Once in the old Testament by God, once by Jesus and once by a angel and to see what the Liberty Project for what they really are, hatemongers.








Local Boy Scout Fundraiser

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A local scout troop is hosting a fund raiser this coming Saturday for the local VFW lodge to assist veterans with disabilities and other needs.


In observance of Veteran's Day, the Scouts that are sponsored by Smyrna VFW Post 8422 will again distribute the "Buddy Poppy" at local stores.  On the morning (9-12) of Saturday, November 10, Cub Scouts and Webelos from Pack 842 will hand out poppies for everyone to wear.  That afternoon, (1-4), the Boy Scouts of Troop 422 will also give out these patriotic reminders.  All donations received will go to the VFW, for assisting local disabled and in-need Veterans and their families.

Smyrna locations are as follows:
Big Lots, Advanced Auto Parts, Kroger-Sam Ridley, Lowes, PX-Smyrna Base, Tractor Supply.
The use of poppies as a remembrance of war and veterans goes back to World War 1 and a poem entitled "In Flanders Field".

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
      Between the crosses, row on row,
   That mark our place; and in the sky
   The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
   Loved and were loved, and now we lie
         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
   The torch; be yours to hold it high.
   If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
         In Flanders fields.

Wilderness Walk Saturday

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From the Smyrna parks and recreation department.

Smyrna Parks would like to welcome you to the Wilderness Walk that will take place tomorrow, Saturday, November 10, from 10am-12pm, Sharp Springs Park, Smyrna.

Enter through the Jefferson Pike entrance and we will be set up at the O’Connor Shelter.

Activity agenda is as follows:

10:00am – 10:30am:  TRPA Fish Presentation and Wildlife Demo Rachel Singer
10:30am – 10:50am:  Wilderness Walk (stroller friendly)
10:50am – 11:10am:  TRPA Fish Release
11:15am – 12:00pm:  Crafts & Lunch Provided

Bring your family out and enjoy! 


The Nutcracker

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Our local theatre is offering a holiday classic and it looks like fun for the kids.

This is your chance to see The Nutcracker right in Smyrna at the beautiful Springhouse Worship and Arts Center venue. This special event is sponsored by Lamplighter's Theatre Company and will only be playing for two evenings the week of Thanksgiving.
November 19 & 20 @ 7:00 PM 
Tickets are for Adults are $15 in advance or $20 at the door. Tickets for children ages 2-12 are $10 in advance (a wonderful deal!) and $15 at the door. Tickets can be purchased in advance online through Tickets Nashville or at the Welcome Center of Springhouse Worship and Arts Center on Sunday mornings. 
He only comes once a year. Don't miss it!



1 Ocak 2013 Salı

Camp Fire Cookout today

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From the good people at the Parks and recreation Department.

Join us this evening from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Sharp Springs Park (Espey Drive entrance) for our Campfire Cookout.

Hot Dogs, Chili, Hot Chocolate & Coffee will be provided, along with campfire sing-alongs  and stories.

Following these activities, children & families will be able to enjoy smores, cinnamon twists and campfire cones over the campfire, followed by a walk by flashlight.  Bring the family and enjoy!  Sincerely, Monty

Smyrna Christmas tree lighting tomorrow

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The town website and I wish to remind you that tomorrow they will be lighting the town's Christmas tree.

Annual Christmas Tree Lighting
Smyrna’s Christmas tree lighting ceremony is a great way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends. The event is scheduled for Tuesday, November 27th, 6pm at the Smyrna Town Centre on Sam Ridley Parkway.  The festivities begin at 6:00pm.  The Smyrna High School Jazz Band will perform, and children will join in a sing-a-long. The Town Council will “flip the switch”, lighting the Town Centre Christmas Tree.  Santa is scheduled to make a brief stop at the ceremony. Children of all ages can pose for a photograph with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Hot chocolate and cookies will be served.

Please look at these pictures.

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I hope you take a moment and look at these pictures to assist the Smyrna Police department in catching these criminals. Not just because they committed a crime, but more so for the fact that one of them brought along a child...now that pisses me off to no end.

The Smyrna Police Department is asking for our communities help. On October 10th, 2012 two (2) white males accompanied by a small female child entered Gil’s Ace Hardware at 415 Nissan Drive in Smyrna. These two male subjects proceeded to remove power tools from their packaging and conceal them in their clothing. In turn the males proceeded to walk out of the store without paying for the items they stole. They were last seen in a silver four door vehicle with black rims. If anyone in the community has information that could lead to assisting us in identifying these persons responsible, please call Detective Alan Nabours of the Smyrna Police Department at 615-459-6644.





PARADE!!!!!

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The town of Smyrna Invites you to their annual Christmas parade this coming Sunday for those who wish to have fun for the whole family.

The 38th Annual Smyrna Christmas Parade is a great way to begin the month of December.  Folks of all ages will brave the weather to gather along Lowry Street in anticipation of the arrival of floats, drill teams, classic vehicles, bands and, of course, Santa Claus.  “A Special Smyrna Christmas” is the theme for this year’s event. 
The Smyrna Christmas Parade will begin at 2:00pm and end at 4:00pm on Sunday, December 2nd.  The parade will be broadcast live on Smyrna’s television station Channel 3 on Comcast Channel 99 on AT&T’s U-verse system. The program will also be available via live streaming on Smyrna’s website,  

Can you help the SPD?

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The Smyrna Police Department are looking for a young man and could use your assistance.


The Smyrna Police Department is requesting help from our friends in the media in locating a runaway juvenile. Christian Laymon, age 17, 5’00”, 145 lbs., brown hair and blue eyes with a scar on his upper lip, has been missing from his home in Smyrna since Dec. 15th. There is a possibility that he is in the company of his mother Karen Konstantynowics whose last known address is in Portland, TN. Christian is in the full custody of his father. If there is anyone who has information on the whereabouts of Christian please contact Detective Lieutenant Jeff Duke at the Smyrna Police Department at 615-459-6644.