Obama Orders Hospital Visitation Rights For Gay, Lesbian Couples

Obama Orders Hospital Visitation Rights For Gay, Lesbian Couples: "WASHINGTON (AP)– In a move hailed as a step toward fairness for same-sex couples, President Barack Obama is ordering that nearly all hospitals allow patients to say who has visitation rights and who can help make medical decisions, including gay and lesbian partners.

The White House on Thursday released a statement by Obama instructing his Health and Human Services secretary to draft rules requiring hospitals that receive Medicare and Medicaid payments to grant all patients the right to designate people who can visit and consult with them at crucial moments."

Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Through Maryland Senate In Landslide

Medical Marijuana Bill Moves Through Maryland Senate In Landslide: "The Maryland Senate voted on Saturday to allow patients access to medical marijuana at state-licensed dispensaries. The bill now moves to the state's lower chamber.

The bill was approved overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support and without objections or discussion, by a 35-12 margin.

Maryland would join 14 other states in legalizing medical marijuana. The neighboring District of Columbia legalized it in a 1998 referendum that was only recently allowed by Congress to go into effect. The District's city council is writing rules to establish the city's medical marijuana policy."

Palin On Her Palm Notes: God Did It Too (VIDEO) | TPM LiveWire

Palin On Her Palm Notes: God Did It Too (VIDEO) | TPM LiveWire: "'Hey, if it was good enough for God, scribbling on the palm of his hand, it's good enough for me, for us. He says, in that passage he says, I wrote your name on the palm of my hand to remember you. And I'm like OK, I'm in good company,' Palin said to laughter."

Halter, Running Against Lincoln, Touches A Nerve With Progressive Donors

Halter, Running Against Lincoln, Touches A Nerve With Progressive Donors: "Only one day after declaring he will challenge conservative Democrat Blanche Lincoln in Arkansas's Democratic Senate primary, Lt. Gov. Bill Halter is raking in an incredible amount of money from outside groups supportive of his candidacy."

Associated Press

Associated Press: "More than two-thirds of the nation's land mass had snow on the ground when the day dawned, and then it snowed ever so slightly in Florida to make it 49 states out of 50."

Our world may be a giant hologram - space - 15 January 2009 - New Scientist

Our world may be a giant hologram - space - 15 January 2009 - New Scientist: "The idea that we live in a hologram probably sounds absurd, but it is a natural extension of our best understanding of black holes, and something with a pretty firm theoretical footing. It has also been surprisingly helpful for physicists wrestling with theories of how the universe works at its most fundamental level."

Burj Khalifa, World's Tallest Tower, Closed A Month After Opening

Burj Khalifa, World's Tallest Tower, Closed A Month After Opening: "The world's tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks."

'Dunno Y . . . Na Jaane Kyun' To Give Bollywood Its First Gay Kiss

'Dunno Y . . . Na Jaane Kyun' To Give Bollywood Its First Gay Kiss

"India may confront one of its longest held taboos this year, as the film "Dunno Y ... Na Jaane Kyun" threatens to present Bollywood with its first gay kiss.

Due to the film's focus on a gay relationship, many have begun to compare the film to "Brokeback Mountain," and are hoping that the film will challenge prejudice in a similar manner. Despite its size, Bollywood has long been unusually conservative - until recently even heterosexual kissing was considered shocking."

Infrared telescope to chart the never-before-seen

"With help from an infrared-telescope-equipped satellite, NASA scientists will soon be able to set their eyes on the darkest reaches of outer space for the first time.
Set for launch no earlier than Friday from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California is the Wide-field Infrared Survey Explorer, a satellite that scientists say will bring to light never-before-seen asteroids, stars and less-luminous galaxies."

Infrared telescope to chart the never-before-seen:

Obama Calls Out Conservative Democrats For Their Timidity

Obama Calls Out Conservative Democrats For Their Timidity: "Just as President Obama's appearance before the House Republican caucus last Friday gave him an opportunity to push back against some of the most outlandish conservative caricatures of his presidency, his visit with Senate Democrats on Wednesday morning allowed him to confront, head on and in public, the timidity and centrism from within his own party."

NASA Spots Mysterious Space Debris (PHOTO)

NASA scientists have spotted a mysterious X-shaped debris pattern with trailing streamers of dust that is unlike any image astronomers have seen before.




NASA Spots Mysterious Space Debris (PHOTO)

Pentagon Starts Clock On Lifting Gay Ban, Warns It Will Be Several-Year Process

The Defense Department starts the clock next week on what is expected to be a several-year process in lifting its ban on gays from serving openly in the military.

My question: Why does this have to take several years and how many more investigations should we summon to show DADT is a harmful policy?


Pentagon Starts Clock On Lifting Gay Ban, Warns It Will Be Several-Year Process: "The Defense Department starts the clock next week on what is expected to be a several-year process in lifting its ban on gays from serving openly in the military."

Barack Obama @ House Republican Conference

John Edwards: 'Suspect' | newsobserver.com projects

After cheating on his wife with cancer, trying to use his wife’s cancer for political gain, fathering a child with a mistress then denying the paternity of said child for two years; John Edwards has officially become the world’s worst person for trying to steal his wife’s wallet.



John Edwards: 'Suspect' | newsobserver.com projects

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