Zach Wahls honors his two moms.

Today, an attorney with whom I work told me I absolutely needed to drop what I was doing in order to listen to a 19-year old man giving a statement to the Iowa legislature. Under consideration was a constitutional amendment that would reverse the landmark case of Varnum v Brien. I looked up Zach Wahls on Youtube and watched his incredible speech. My friend then told me that Zach also happened to be in town, at Left Bank Books, 5 blocks away from my law office. I walked over, arriving in time to hear Zach ending his prepared remarks, and opening the floor to questions. One of the main points he made is that people react badly to households of two gay parents because they have a "fear of the unknown."

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“Saying Gay” is not about SEX

I’ve been thinking about the Missouri “Don’t Say Gay” legislation (HB2051) since it hit public awareness. I’ve lived in Missouri most of my life, I am used to seeing legislative discussions that make my head hurt, but this one hit me harder than most.

I realize that this bill, like much legislation around the country, is a fearful reaction to the many advances that gay folk are making. It is more accepted to be gay now than 20 years ago. Gay people are often portrayed on TV shows, in books and movies and the storyline is no longer about being gay. The dramatic value of homosexuality has dipped in popularity. Being gay is less taboo, and for some people that is the last straw. This legislation feels like a last ditch effort from the folks petrified and disgusted by homosexuals to protect themselves through the guise of protecting the children. But from what?

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The Subcommandments – Do Not Lie

A friend of mine was recently traveling in the Middle East. While walking down a winding path, he stumbled upon this tablet of Sub-Commandments. It appears to be an authentic tablet of God's own elaborations and extensions of the Commandment "Do Not Lie." This a fascinating collection of good advice. This collection demonstrates that God foresaw all of the devious means of deception and half-truths that His people would someday use (including the technique of "paltering"). If these Sub-Commandments ring true to you, please feel free to share a copy of this image with any politicians, owners of "news media" or religious leaders you happen to know:

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Dad performs sting operation to catch teachers bullying his 10-year old autistic boy

This dad of a ten-year old autistic boy wired up the boy to see how his teachers were treating him. The results were shocking, and he now rightfully wants the school to fire all the teachers who heaped abuse on his son. I forced myself to watch and listen to the tape recordings. It makes me wonder how many other vulnerable people (autistic kids, mentally retarded kids, people in nursing homes) are abused. I couldn't blame other people who want to do these sorts of sting operations. Warning: in many states such as Illinois, these one-party consent stings would be illegal.

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How to buy happiness

Michael Norton points to the difficulties of winning the lottery, then suggests that there are ways to use money to buy happiness. One trick is to spend money on others, especially others with significant needs. His conclusion: "If you think money can't buy happiness, you're not spending it right."

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