This is of course an implied criticism of former US president George W Bush and the neo-conservatives, who were often accused of trying to change the world in their image.

The committee "attached special importance to Obama's vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons." But it also mentioned the UN, climate change and the "strengthening" of democracy and human rights.

The reference to democracy will be noted - perhaps wryly, perhaps with some resentment - by the neo-conservatives, as the spread of democracy, especially in the wider Middle East as they called it, (incorporating Afghanistan) was one of their rallying cries. The Norwegian committee was not impressed and it will probably be a case of vice versa.

The risk for President Obama is that he might not be able to live up to this billing.

It is therefore perhaps worth looking at some of the problems he faces, his intentions in dealing with them and the likelihood of success.

"When I returned from the military, the challenges of health care and insurance, jobs and the effect of the economy on people, and not enough people treating veterans with respect, as issues facing the District were still there," Woods said.

But complaints against Garamendi ranged from being a carpetbagger; not living in the District to being a career politician. Many claim that he won mainly through name recognition and the influence he has amassed over the years in politics, listing among his supporters former president Bill Clinton and former vice president Al Gore.

This Primary election sought to choose out of a field of 14 candidates the person who would run against a Republican in the general election to fill the House seat vacated by the resignation in June of former Representative Ellen Tauscher, who accepted the position of Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security Affairs.

Despite this loss, for Woods, 28, his initial bid for public office was not only as an African American, but as an openly gay man, which places him on the level of the late Harvey Milk, who strived to work for the people regardless of skin color or sexual orientation. Additionally, he demonstrated to the national Black gay community that someone could be Black and openly gay, and try for public office.

The people of the 10th District were able to see beyond these two issues and unite around a common purpose, such as healthcare, said Woods, "I was amazed to see that my race and my sexual orientation weren't issues of concern to the voters. Race was a complete non issue. When I talked about being gay, people were shocked that the military would fire someone who is good; this is a very progressive county."

Congress passed the policy change last summer and President George W. Bush signed it into law, but the Bush administration was unable to implement the shift before leaving office.

THE PROCESS

When the HHS publishes the new regulation in the federal register a 45-day window will be opened so that the HHS may make adjustments to the proposal and send it back to OMB for budgetary approval.

Could it take any longer?! but alas we're not done yet!
After OMB approves the regulation, HHS will again enter the change into the federal registry for another 30 or 60 day review period, and then it will automatically go into effect. Congress can try to block the change in the 30 or 60 day review period.

California may not be going bankrupt but they are facing some major budget deficits that may be contributed to the allegation of the governor violating the system of checks and balances outlined in the state's constitution.

The California Governor has cut the noses of HIV Activist spite our faces. HIV/AIDS Prevention programs are needed to help stop HIV infections through out the state.

Think about this, Safer Sex kits can fall under Preventions programs. When people, especially poor people, need to go get free safer safe kits, which have condoms for male/females and lube where are they suppose to go? Also, Needle Exchange Programs can fall under HIV/AIDS Prevention, depending on the state. Needle Exchange Program help stop the spread of HIV/AIDS ANYWHERE.

All in all, the US HIV Travel Ban, HIV/AIDS Prevention and Child Welfare cuts are just plain wrong. There needs to be a better plan on what to do about California's budget and the United States' Government attitude towards people who are HIV positive. We need to erase the HIV stigma and stop being afraid of something there is no need to be afraid of. Maybe we should be afraid of Governor's who think they're Emperors, that think they have the right to indirectly kill people.

National Black Justice Coalition Deputy Director
Jason W. Bartlett

Woods, like Obama, was born to a single mom, who worked as a housekeeper to help raise him, and managed to attend prestigious universities to help pull himself from a background with little promise to where he is now, running for congress in his own equally historic bid.

I had the pleasure of speaking to Anthony Woods, on Wednesday afternoon July 1st. I started of by asking him why he is running for Congress. Strikingly, much like Obama, it is clear from Woods' responses that he is seeking to be a transitional candidate in the new post identity politics environment that Obama helped cement - there have been others, including former Richmond Mayor/former Virginia Governor L Douglas Wilder, Gov. Deval Patrick of Massachussetes, Newark Mayor, Cory Booker, and DC Mayor Adrian Fenty are some of the more notable - touting himself as the best qualified candidate in the race based on his life experiences, serving in the military, and his unique qualifications to fight for the rights of all Americans for affordable healthcare and economic opportunity based on his background of being raised by a single mother and facing many of the challenges that  the under privileged in our society face today.

Lt. Choi is an experienced combat leader and Arab linguist—two things our military desperately needs-- who is ready and willing to re-deploy with his unit.

Today’s decision only highlights the fact that the Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” is undermining the strength of our military and the security of our nation.

Having served two combat tours in Iraq and brought all 81 of my soldiers home alive before being discharged under the policy last year, I understand what Lt. Choi is going through all too well.

Since 1993, the careers of tens of thousands of soldiers have ended prematurely because of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell”----at a cost of more than $400 million to taxpayers, the safety of combat soldiers deprived of experienced leaders and specialists, and the readiness of a force already stretched thin by two wars and repeated, extended deployments.

More than 70% of Americans support its repeal because Americans understand that in a time of war, America’s security is far more important than political expediency.I applaud Lt. Choi’s resolve to appeal this wrong-headed decision, and look forward to leading the effort to repeal this misguided policy as the next Congressman from California’s 10th District.”

Anthony Woods is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. He is a veteran of two combat tours in Iraq, and was awarded both the Bronze Star and Army Commendation Medal for his service.  Woods is a native of Fairfield, CA, and is campaigning for the expected Special Election to replace Representative Ellen Tauscher in California’s 10th District.

Plus, he has put some big initiatives forward. Those initiatives (the budget, the war(s), policy changes and etc.) have to be successful. If they are, more folks will come to his side and if not, they will somewhat distance themselves from him. Obama needs the superpower to make things happen. If his main issues fail, it will be hard for him to push gay rights through the loop.

Notably the 12 States and over 100 localities that currently carry laws that protect the LGBT community against workplace discrimination, do cover a good 40% of the population, but 30 States is still a shockingly high number of States, not to mention that even 1 State alone is still 1 too many. Anything less than federal law LGBT-inclusive protection against discrimination in the workplace is frankly unacceptable.

"Robinson has contributed significantly to the development of the community over the last five years," Broadus said in the release.

The county attorney who defended the law said he would not seek a rehearing. The only recourse for opponents appeared to be a constitutional amendment, which could take years to ratify.

"We are firmly convinced the exclusion of gay and lesbian people from the institution of civil marriage does not substantially further any important governmental objective," the Supreme Court wrote.

Iowa lawmakers have "excluded a historically disfavored class of persons from a supremely important civil institution without a constitutionally sufficient justification."

To issue any other decision, the justices said, "would be an abdication of our constitutional duty."

The Iowa attorney general's office said gay and lesbian couples can seek marriage licenses starting April 24, once the ruling is considered final.

These two elements faith and constitution make the tension that agate to form the pearl of liberty. In fact the one compliments and protects the other. The cornerstone of forming this nation is religious freedom and the assurance of non-governmental influence in religious practices. Also In this country faith communities exist in an atmosphere of acceptance that other faiths will exist and will be acknowledged. Both accept and hold in high esteem the respect of the human being in fulfilling their potential.

It is both faith and constitution that stop the unwarranted prosecution or persecution of individuals. Both call for reason beyond momentary collective action. It is these firm principles that the African-American experience could collect and assure its constitution that we shall overcome.

In the shared form of oppression experienced by Gays and Lesbians is often set about by rejection of another’s misguided perception that one individual’s liberty is entrusted in others permission. Liberty does not make difference amongst others. Liberty makes levels society for each to meet and acknowledge but to subdue. Competition may result in victor and defeated but acceptance and transformation is guaranteed without abbreviation.

The book, based on a a decade of research and hundreds of interviews, was written by Dr. Nathaniel Frank, senior research fellow at the Palm Center, and one of the nation’s most widely recognized authorities on gays in the military. Dr. Frank is appearing with Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher today at the Center for American Progress to discuss her proposed legislation to repeal the ban.

Publication of the book by St. Martin’s Press falls on the 15th anniversary of "don't ask, don't tell." Frank spoke to key military and political architects of the policy, many of whom acknowledge in the book that it was “based on nothing” but “our own prejudices and our own fears.”

Shalikashvili

Murphy

General John Shalikashvili, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, tops the list of prominent leaders who have endorsed the "Unfriendly Fire," saying it “should be mandatory reading for anyone with an interest in the state of our society or the readiness of our military.” Congressman Patrick J. Murphy, a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the only Iraq War veteran in Congress, said Frank’s “timely book should put to rest any lingering doubt about whether ‘don't ask, don't tell’ is working—it's been a failure from day one and should finally be put behind us.”

The Palm Center has launched "Send UNFRIENDLY FIRE to Congress!" which is an online campaign to put a book into the hands of every member of Congress by this spring.

Information about that campaign and about Frank’s speaking tour that kicks off today to Washington, California, Chicago, Miami, Atlanta, New York and Philadelphia is available at:
UNFRIENDLY FIRE.

INTERVIEW

GBMNews: Mr. Johnson, good day and thank you for agreeing to spare me the time to share with our readers your thoughts about assuming this new position?

Johnson: I am thrilled. This is an organization I've been involved with since its inception as one of the original members of the Board of Directors, since about 20 years ago, about the time when organizations such as Gay Men of African Descent and the Minority Task Force on AIDS were themselves set up. It was really wonderful for me to have been a leader in Africa, which has been my area of expertise. Now I see myself developing IGLHRC's expertise against homophobia in Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and the Caribbean. In the Middle East and Caribbean, we need to identify more with our partners in those regions.

GBMNews: What do you bring to this leadership role?

Johnson: I bring four years working as a staff member, a long involvement as a Board member, and 20 years working in Africa. I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Africa since 1983 and I bring solid experience in LGBT politics.

GBMNews: In your new role, what do you see are some of your expectations?

Johnson: I hope that lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) movements around the world could feel positive about the work of IGLHRC over the years and develop better partnerships with us. My hope is that we could build better partnerships with organizations such as the Jamaican LGBT organization, Jamaica Forum for Lesbians All-sexuals and Gays, organizations on the ground, and people who know the cultures. It is only with the people on the ground that IGLHRC can make a meaningful contribution; we can't do it from the outside.

I expect to be busy in this new role. 

I recently visited Latin America where I encountered very well developed LGBT and HIV organizations in Argentina and Brazil. But, of concern to me is the types of violations people face in different parts of the world that are different and require different approaches. These underlie the continued violence based on sexual orientation that is promoted by states, families or by non-governmental agencies, or a combination of all three.