Rocky

Happy Birthday and many more.

I thought that was the essence of the problem in the first place? :D-->

Hey Excie... I was hoping that you would accept my nomination (for you) to run for President of the United States. And perhaps Igotout will be your Vice-Pres... either him or Rev. Tuttle. See www.americancandidate.com

San Francisco's Gay Weddings Continue Mon Feb 16,10:53 AM ET By LISA LEFF, Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO - Dozens of same-sex couples lined up outside City Hall in heavy rain early Monday, waiting for city offices to open so they could join more than 1,700 other gay and lesbian couples who have exchanged vows in the last few days. Despite miserable weather and the Presidents Day holiday, many couples camped out throughout the night. Though City Hall was scheduled to open at 10 a.m., City Assessor Mabel Teng said she would try to open her office earlier because of the demand. Teng said many of the city workers who helped process the marriage licenses throughout the holiday weekend were volunteering their time. "I am just very honored to be involved in this significant and history-making event," Teng said Monday morning. "I'm so proud to be part of it." Since San Francisco officials began issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples on Thursday, hundreds of gays and lesbians have wed — many rushing to California from across the country. While hundreds of same-sex marriages kept City Hall offices buzzing through the weekend, conservative activists promised a relentless legal challenge. The Arizona-based Alliance Defense Fund sued to block the same-sex unions, and San Francisco Superior Court Judge James L. Warren has scheduled a hearing Tuesday in the case. A second legal challenge filed by a California group is also scheduled for a court hearing Tuesday. Briefs were due Monday. More than 1,700 marriage licenses have been issued to same-sex couples since Thursday. Although some may choose to wait before actually getting married, hundreds have already gone before city officials to exchange vows and be declared "spouses for life," often in ceremonies scattered around the interior of the ornate City Hall. New Mayor Gavin Newsom touched off the wedding spree by ordering officials to issue licenses to same-sex couples, declaring that he was merely ensuring equal treatment of gays and lesbians. Newsom later officiated personally at the weddings of his chief of staff and policy director, both of whom married their longtime partners. Critics have pointed to a ballot initiative approved by California voters in 2000 that says the state will only recognize marriages between a man and woman. Randy Thomasson, the director of the Campaign for California Families, one of the groups challenging the marriages in court, said last week that Newsom "can't play God." On Sunday, a small group of protesters stood across the street from City Hall holding signs protesting same-sex unions. But the critics seemed to make little difference to most of the people inside the building, where the mood was both busy and joyous. Many clerks and sheriff's deputies volunteered their time to work over the weekend. Rich Walker and Brad Chilcoat, who have owned a home together in San Francisco for the last three and a half years, exchanged their vows at the top of City Hall's grand staircase, and said later that the city's recognition of their union added special meaning. "It's official. It's official," Walker said, displaying the marriage certificate stamped with both their names. The certificate, Chilcoat said, "moves us from second-class citizens to equal status." Walker, 50, and Chilcoat, 41, walked out of City Hall arm-in-arm, cheered by the crowds of people waiting outside

Craig who? Some Toledo Mud Hen wannabe?

Al, What stats are you presenting? I see some words, and some numbers, but not enough explanation to know either the context in which they were gathered, nor what they are intended to show. Now, thanks for the clarification (meaning had been added at a later time to your post, obviously). Now, help us understand what the message is... since there are more behavior related categories than just homosexuality. [This message was edited by Rocky on February 16, 2004 at 14:38.]

speaking of same sex marriage, has anyone been following the municipal goings on this weekend in San Francisco? A veritable boom for the airlines industry. Same sex couple are flocking to SF to stand in line (more than 500 long) around the SF city hall to get marriage licenses today... before the lawsuits challenging the municipal practice can be heard tomorrow (when the courts open).

That reminds me of one of the Dback's slogans for the 2001 World Series... It'll take more than 9 Yanks to beat our Johnson! (Randy Johnson).

Let's play Wacky races... see who Wacky visits next! Happy Happy sweet Wacky!

Is that where the Yankees train?

indeed we do tommyS... pitchers/catchers report for the Dbacks next weekend

evil tv = Fox News Channel, unfair and way out of balance.

I did the same search a few days earlier and got the same results. I sent email both to Imus's producer and to the broadcast news channel address. I received response from both with a name at Broadcast News to talk to, with a (non toll-free) phone number to call, and an invitation from the guy Friday afternoon to call him. So I replied that I would do so on Monday. I asked one simple question: what is the selection criteria? Since I have free longdistance calling on my cell phone, I will call him on Monday and see what they say... I suspect the same thing that ckeer and some others have, that the money is the main criterion. This reminds me of something I've seen in ads for automobiles and electric utilities before. Have you ever heard of J.D. Power and Associates? I've seen the name in ads claiming that "according to J.D. Power and Associates, customers say __________ has excellent customer service" Now, the reason this got my attention is because I knew it was bovine feces. I had long time experience with the customer service function of the particular utility and knew they were consistently discourteous and hostile to customers. When it became more than just a one time occurance, and I saw this JD Power endorsement for a variety of items/companies, I suspected that said endorsement was nothing more than a purchased use of the name of a company I had no idea what kind of research they did to come up with their conclusions. That's what this sounds like to me.

Just be careful when Tom says he wants to hold your ha-a-a-and!

Well, I had lunch with Simon... no new tattoos that he mentioned, but I'm thinking about getting an eagle on the side of my lower leg, almost on the calf... sure was a nice sunny lunch time, we even ate outdoors, at a patio table at the establishment of choice for the day. It was also good to talk to fellowshipper on the phone, while at Simon's house... sure would be good for more of us to get together. btw, TommyStranger, Simon's not the one who fell off of a roof, that was MacMarine (Jeff Mackey in NC), who is hopefully still fully recovered thereof.

gosh, i hope not!!! Where's Excie?

Taking issue with someone or being angry, sometimes is understandable. What we do about it can be another thing. It demonstrates your humanity, Jonny, that you can recognize it and adjust. Thank you.

Hey, even Grace Adler calls Will and Jack homos. (Will and Grace)

sigh Of course Rosie has a more abundant life. So would I if I had minions supporting me financially and waiting on me hand and foot.

Stranger in the night... (than in the daytime) lovers at first sight...

No rumor. CBS ran commercials over the weekend saying that Letterman would be replaying the entire first appearance by the Beatles on that Sullivan Show. I believe its 5 songs. Tonight.

Don't let it bother you too much. It happens, but you have plenty of support here too.

I don't know, but it sounds more interesting than mbla.

It is NOT simply "a piece of paper." It is a cultural symbol. It is represents an entire set of legal considerations all balled up, or rolled up into one "solemn" moment of commitment symbolized by the wedding. It is a currently hot topic in our society and culture because of its cultural significance, even though most of the technical and legal aspects of marriage can be invoked separately otherwise (except for income tax considerations, some of which are often characterized as penalties instead of benefits).

"How much wood could..."