GOP Might Kill Legal Pot In DC

Via the Washington Post: 

Tucked in the massive spending bill needed to prevent a federal government shutdown may be a measure sought by conservative House Republicans to halt marijuana legalization in the nation’s capital, advocates for the measure say. Seven in 10 D.C. voters backed an initiative last month to follow Colorado and Washington state in legalizing marijuana. But three people who have been closely tracking the issue say budget negotiators in the Democratic-controlled Senate have agreed to curb the popular measure. Congress has the power to do so by restricting city spending. Congressional Republicans have previously used the technique, known as a spending “rider,” to prevent the heavily Democratic city from spending money on abortion coverage for the poor. For 11 years, one was used to prevent D.C. from implementing a voter-backed measure to allow medical marijuana.

Even though right wing Republicans are behind the rider, marijuana activists say they will blame Democrats, who still have a month of control left in the Senate.

Hobby Lobby’s Newest Crusade: To Build A Bible Museum Near The National Mall

Not content with a Supreme Court decision that has the potential to set back LGBT progress for years, the family behind the Hobby Lobby store chain have a new project in mind. They’d like to build a giant museum dedicated to the Bible just two blocks from the National Mall in D.C., where such venerable institutions as the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art reside.

Needless to say, this won’t be just any old tribute to religion. It will be a monument to a particular interpretation of the Bible. Steve Green, the president of Hobby Lobby, has called the Bible “a reliable historical document,” and, in connection with the museum, plans a curriculum to “reintroduce this book to this nation.”

You don’t have to read between the lines there. Given the Green family’s political activism and ties to the Christian right, the emphasis isn’t going to be on feeding and clothing the poor. “This nation is in danger because of its ignorance of what God has taught,” Green has said. “There are lessons from the past that we can learn from, the dangers of ignorance of this book. We need to know it. If we don’t know it, our future is going to be very scary.”

Between the Supreme Court decision and the museum, we’d agree.

Moreover, the choice of D.C. as the location of the 400,00 square-foot museum gives the Greens a permanent base from which to target legislation. The museum is going to cost $800 million, and the Greens are going to want something to show for their investment. “My instincts would tell me that they are choosing Washington, D.C., because they intend to influence Congress,” said Annie Laurie Gaylor, a co-president of Freedom From Religion Foundation. 

So if you think the Supreme Court decision was a singular event, think again. It looks like the Hobby Lobby family are only just getting started.

D.C. High School Principal Comes Out as Gay at Student Pride Event

Pete Cahall, the principal of Washington D.C.'s Wilson High School, came out as gay to his students at a Pride event on Wednesday, the Washington Post reports:

Wilson High School Principal Pete Cahall came out to his students as gay at a school-wide Pride Day event Wednesday, shaking as he said that he had “hid in the shadows for the last 50 years” but was inspired by his students to declare his sexual orientation openly. “I want to say publicly for the first time because of your leadership, care and support that I am a proud gay man who just happens to be the principal of Wilson High School,” he said in the packed atrium at the D.C. school, flanked by Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) and David Catania (I), the D.C. Council’s first openly gay member.

Students cheered and hugged Cahall after the announcement. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) and David Catania (I), the D.C. Council’s first openly gay member were there for the announcement.

The Westboro Baptist Church last week announced plans to picket the school on June 9 because of its support for LGBT Pride and marriage equality, the WaPo reported on May 27:

The announcement triggered an immediate reaction from students, who took to social media to begin organizing a peaceful counterprotest. Rovinsky said that it’s been heartening to see her school come together in support of a common cause. 

“The fact that Westboro has targeted a high school where many kids struggle with understanding their sexuality and may take these crazy extremist comments to heart seems outrageous to me,” she wrote in an e-mail. “However, I do know that as a school community, we will stand up for all of our students ... Westboro has decided to go against the wrong school and the wrong city this time.”

Capitol Dome Soon To Be Encased In Scaffolding

The United States Capitol Dome will soon undergo a two year major restoration project to repair significant structure flaws. 

According to dcist.com: 

In a short while, another D.C. landmark will be covered in scaffolding: The U.S. Capitol dome. 

A two-year restoration project will begin in early November, according to the Architect of the Capitol. (Visible signs of the restoration may come later than that, according to an AOC spokesperson.) "Postponing the restoration would perpetuate the deterioration of the dome," AOC says in an FAQ. "The flaking and peeling of paint will substantially increase resulting in an unsightly appearance." 

Architect of the Capitol Stephen T. Ayers said in a release, "From a distance the dome looks magnificent, thanks to the hard-work of our employees. On closer look, under the paint, age and weather have taken its toll and the AOC needs to make repairs to preserve the dome.” 

While most of the work will take place during nights and weekends, the dome will be closed to tours during the work. In addition to the scaffolding, which will be illuminated at night, netting in the shape of a doughnut will be installed inside to protect the public below. The work will cost about $60 million to complete.

National Cathedral Dean: Homophobia is a Sin

As part of a weekend honoring LGBT young people at the Washington National Cathedral, Rev. Gary Hall (pictured right) spoke out against homophobia and heterosexism, denouncing both as 'sin.' The Huffington Post reports:

"We must now have the courage to take the final step and call homophobia and heterosexism what they are. They are sin. Homophobia is a sin. Heterosexism is a sin. Shaming people for whom they love is a sin," said Dean Hall. He continued, "Only when all our churches say that clearly and boldly and courageously will our LGBT youth be free to grow up in a culture that totally embraces them fully as they are."

He criticized the role that some churches have in advancing oppression of LGBT youth, saying, "It's more than tragic - in fact it's shameful - that faith communities, especially Christian ones, continue to be complicit in putting out children at risk and abetting the attitudes that oppress them, thereby encouraging the aggressors who would subject our children to pain, humiliation, and violence."

Hall's sermon marked the 15th anniversary of the death of Matthew Shepard and the third anniversary of the suicide of Tyler Clementi. Both Judy Shepard and Jane Clementi were at the Sunday sermon to honor their sons' deaths.

Back in January, Rev. Hall announced the prominent Episcopal cathedral would begin celebrating same-sex marriages.