A Presidential Proclamation of importance

The President of the United States, Barack Obama, has issued a Presidential Proclamation regarding "Gay Pride." Included in that proclamation is the following:

Much work remains to fulfill our Nation's promise of equal justice under law for LGBT Americans. That is why we must give committed gay couples the same rights and responsibilities afforded to any married couple, and repeal the Defense of Marriage Act. We must protect the rights of LGBT families by securing their adoption rights, ending employment discrimination against LGBT Americans, and ensuring Federal employees receive equal benefits. We must create safer schools so all our children may learn in a supportive environment. I am also committed to ending "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" so patriotic LGBT Americans can serve openly in our military, and I am working with the Congress and our military leadership to accomplish that goal.

Well and good Mr. president - so issue an Executive Order and end the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the same way Harry Truman ended segregation in the US Military. Truman didn't need Congress to move out of 1850 into the 1950s. He acted over the objections (screams and cries) of both Congress and the military leaders. You don't need Congress or the military leadership to do the right thing - you can do it. And why not stop your administration's defense of DOMA.

The president ends his proclamation with the following:

As we honor the LGBT Americans who have given so much to our Nation, let us remember that if one of us is unable to realize full equality, we all fall short of our founding principles. Our Nation draws its strength from our diversity, with each of us contributing to the greater whole. By affirming these rights and values, each American benefits from the further advancement of liberty and justice for all.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim June 2010 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month by fighting prejudice and discrimination in their own lives and everywhere it exists.

As Martin Luther King, Jr., said, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." But then, I suppose being allowed to stand in the back of the bus is better than being forced to walk behind it.

Read it all here.

Duncan forcing the ABC to act?

In an interesting news item this morning, Changing Attitudes is reporting that, in Christianity Today, the Homosexuality Church is inviting Church of England clergy to come and minister to the so called American organization.

ACNA said the clergy swap would be an opportunity for Church of England parishes and clergy to express their solidarity and friendship with ACNA churches.

Participating clergy will be matched to churches with similar preaching and ministry styles and serve.

And to once again prove that this whole new schismatic organization is founded on homosexuality, we have the following to present.

Institutionally the [Church of England] seems to be sitting on the fence. The Archbishop of Canterbury has said that the consecration of Mary Glasspool in TEC is 'regrettable'; yet the [Church of England] has not fully embraced ACNA.

An important contribution at this stage will be for parishes and clergy to express solidarity and friendship with clergy and parishes in ACNA.”

CA submits

Chris Sugden and Paul Perkin’s letter to C of E clergy invites them to disobey the rule which expressly does not allow ACNA clergy to exercise ministry in parishes in this country. Anglican Mainstream and ACNA want a free-for-all in the Anglican Communion, having advocated the crossing of Provincial boundaries for some years, and now telling priests to ignore the will of General Synod

So, this is how Duncan is going to get in the backdoor of the Anglican Communion - or so he thinks. But the big question is, What will Rowan do? What will he do?" I don't know what he will do (probably nothing) but I can be he wishes Duncan was roasting in hell right now.

Prayers for Karen requested

I have been fortunate to have many good friends throughout my life. A few of the truly golden friends are those I've had since I was in grammar school. One of these golden friends is Karen.

I bid your prayers for "Elaine". She has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a minor surgery Monday and will have a more invasive surgery on Tuesday. Please pray for her, the doctors and her family (her youngest just graduated 8th grade).

UPDATE 18 June 2010: Karen will require both chemo and radiation.

Dunkirk 70-years later

It was seventy years ago today that the British evacuated Dunkirk. The Admiralty called for any person with sailing experience and a boat to help with the evacuation.

Sadly, there are no "skippers" left who participated in the heroic acts on 25 May 1940.

We waited wearily, waist high in the sea
The miracle unfolding before us gave us hope
We'd expected ships but these were boats, small boats
But they floated somehow
Men clambered aboard

I eyed them enviously
Watched them turn and go back out to sea
Heading home to dear old Blighty
Patiently we shuffled forward
Legs numb, teeth chattering
Hopefully my turn would come soon

A Stuka strafed the beach again
Cries from men hit reached our ears
The eyes of the human pier followed the raider
We sighed gratefully as it turned inland
No one had the energy to scatter
To try and escape the pilot's cruel bullets
So we stood, staring seaward

A dot grew into a battered boat
The volunteer owner smiled weakly
By now I was so weak, so hungry, so cold
I could barely haul myself onboard

The skipper helped my mates and me
We worried that the boat would capsize
He crammed as many men on as he dare
"I'll be back." He shouted to the remaining men
They waved us off

Such relief filled us as we got under way
A boy's head appeared from below deck
He looked hollow eyed and shocked by his exploits
I'll never forget him

He scooped mugs of hot tea from a bucket
Handing them round to us
Apologising for the crude container
Explaining that he'd dropped the teapot overboard

He'd been bailing out seawater in a previous trip
A German Patrol boat had attacked them
They were still shipping water
Hesitantly he asked
Could we help after we'd drunk our tea?

We gulped down the warm beverage
Ignoring the hint of oil in it
To me it tasted like nectar
Sweet and warm

The sea grew choppy
We busily bailed with the boy
Someone started to whistle
Another sang the words
Pretty soon we were all singing

I asked the Skipper a question
How the folks at home viewed our defeat
He eyed a French soldier in our midst
"No one blames the BEF," He whispered
"Everyone knows you did your bit."

Someone distracted us with a cheer
A welcome sight greeted us
Looming out of the mist
The white cliffs of Dover

"Welcome home boys!" He grinned toothlessly
I glanced at the other battle hardened men
My tears weren't the only ones being shed….

© Christine L. Coles — July 2001
Dedicated to my Uncle - George Jones a Dunkirk Veteran