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Marriage Equality: A Gen-Y Perspective
KeriLee Horan March 27, 2013 - 3:40pm
Yesterday morning, I logged on to Facebook just like every other day. The first update in my newsfeed was from a friend who had changed her profile picture to a pink equal sign with a bright red background. I read the description: "Men and women of full age, without any limitation due to race, nationality or religion, have the right to marry and to found a family. They are entitled to equal rights as to marriage, during marriage and at its dissolution." Universal Declaration of Human Rights- Article 16:1 (1948). Well, I agree with that. I thought, so I liked her photo, closed my browser and went on with my day. At lunch, I checked Facebook again and about one out of four of my friends had changed their profile pictures to some variation of the same image. By the end of the day, it was nearly half.
Of course, my Facebook friends may not be the most representative cross-section of my generation. Many of my closest friends are openly gay. I live in New York City. I went to a fairly liberal (Catholic) university for my undergraduate degree, and for graduate school I attended NYU-recognized for its advancement of gay rights. Still, my peers support for marriage equality comes as no surprise. While 51 percent of all Americans support same-sex marriage, the number of those aged eighteen to twenty-nine who support it is 81 percent. My generation, regardless of religious or political affiliation, does not see gay marriage as a big deal. I am a practicing Catholic, I was raised in a conservative Catholic family, and I went to Catholic school until I graduated from college. Like many of my peers, I appreciate the church's teaching on marriage, but respectfully hold a different viewpoint. Over the course of my high school and college career, I, like many others my age, watched friend after friend-many of them also practicing Catholics-struggle with their homosexuality, their decision to come out, and the response from friends and family after they made that decision. More often than not, nothing changed, except their comfort level and happiness. For the most part, their peers accepted their admission without hesitation. It usually took their parents longest to come around to the idea, but they ultimately accepted it too.
Because it has become so much more socially acceptable for men and women of my generation to publically declare their sexual orientation and openly date members of the same sex, because we have become so accustomed to seeing and supporting it, members of my generation find it difficult to draw the line at dating. If my friend can date who she wants, why shouldn't she marry who she wants? And moreover, if I can marry who I want, why shouldn't my best friend be able to do the same thing? It may be a long road to true marriage equality, but, as the Supreme Court hears cases for and against Proposition 8 and DOMA, I have no doubt it will happen eventually. The time will come when all those people who changed their profile pictures to equal signs are in a position of much more authority and influence. Of course there are many people of all ages who disagree with me, but it seems clear that the shift in thinking is well underway.
Commenting Guidelines
Here's today's reporting on the hair-splitting the knicker knotting by SCOTUS:http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/kennedy-decide-gay-marriage-cases-201...
That's an ad hominem point, not a refutation. Anyway, I already gave you a link to a scholarly article that completely dismantles any pretense that any of this ideological "scholarship" can be trusted. Short version: It is almost all based on small samples of highly-selected privileged white parents who volunteered to be studied and were motivated to see the study turn out well.
"My generation, regardless of religious or political affiliation, does not see gay marriage as a big deal."Is it possible that your generation along with other generations don't see marriage, gay or straight, as a big deal?
"I appreciate the churchs teaching on marriage"What do you appreciate exactly? You seem to regard its affirmation of the connection of marriage with gender and procreation as a bunch of nonsense.Also, if I may ask, what do you make of the church's teaching about sexual purity?
Judging by my own kids and their friends, I'd say that they do consider marriage a big deal, which is exactly why they'd like to see its definition extended to include gay couples.
I really think it is no more than a result of knowing people. My kids grew up in our small university city knowing gay and lesbian families along with more traditional ones. They saw those people selling cookies at the track team bake sale and chaperoning the band trip and cheering at the football games and demanding that their kids do better in school and be home by curfew, too. And they knew kids who had come out, too. And they worried about the calculus test on Monday or getting into college or getting out of their parents doghouses for coming home late. In other words, what they saw were people. Not gay people. Just people. So they don't even understand what all the fuss is about, and the arguments against gay marriage seem pretty hollow, built on highly technical legalisms(I'm looking for a better word, but I think that conveys the idea at least) if you will, rather than the way people live.
I never paid much attention to the issue of gay marriage. I think what helped advance my thinking on gay/lesbian issues was making acquaintance with gay people. An open mind doesn't hurt, either.
So is marriage a big deal or not? If we can alter its meaning to fit our social mores, than it seems to have a more protean character than we usually think.
Margaret,In my view, marriage is indeed a big deal in the sense of what it means to the parties to the marriage. It means a long term commitment to another person above all others as they say in good times and bad, in sickness or in health. It means supporting each other and arguing with each other and loving each other even when you're arguing. The error people make, I think, is believing that marriage is about sex. That is part of it, to be sure but after almost 30 years of marriage, I can say that it is about many more things. And watching my parents marriage of almost 60 years, especially in their final years, I saw those other things. In our marriage prep classes, I tell people about my 96 year old father wanting me to move so he could sit close enough to hold my 88 year old mother's hand while she was in a hospital bed. Or my 87 year old mother and 95 year old father figuring out how to maneuver their walkers so they could most easily kiss. That kind of relationship is indeed a big deal. That the parties involved might be two men or two women or a man and a woman, a is not.
Legally and socially, we accept voluntary arranged marriages as civil marriages in America; we accept self-consciously childless marriages; we embrace Mormon marriages, Hindu marriages, Jewish marriages, and totally secular civil sexually open marriages; we accept second and third marriages as legitimate; and we accept Santorum-style marriages where reproduction is the core goal and divorce unthinkable. How do we do manage to include all these experiences as part of the same core institution? Catholicism has long since stopped leading the charge to not validate or outlaw these kinds of marriages.The Catholic Church engages in a double standard between gays and straights when it comes to upholding teachings on marriage. To deny this is to don blinders. Before it blames everyone else, this church must ask itself why its doctrine of marriage has failed to persuade those not already committed to it.For example, church teaching is opposed to divorce - and it differs from teaching on homosexuality in that it is believed that this teaching comes directly from Jesus Christ. And yet, when one applies for an annulment, church law REQUIRES that one first obtain a civil divorce. Oh, that's just a civil requirement; we don't really believe the civil divorce is actually a divorce. Yet when it comes to civil marriage for same-sex couples, it is suddenly the end of civilization: that civil marriage is a dire threat, while civil divorces are a mere technicality. This is a double standard no matter how you slice it.Church teaching also provides two entirely separate theologies of sexuality for gay and straight people. For straight people, sexuality is a gift from a good God rooted in the goodness of Creation. For gays and lesbians, sexuality is a burden from an indifferent God to test us, rooted in the experience of the cross. There is no other instance of two contradictory theologies set up for separate groups on such a fundamental aspect of life. How long can such a house of cards stand? This contradiction is not just a hole in the seamless garment, it is two entirely different garments.I will believe the magisterium is not prejudiced when I see it giving the exact same amount of time, effort and financial resources to laws outlawing civil divorce. I will believe it is not prejudiced when it I see it giving the exact same amount of time, effort and financial resources to outlawing civil marriages in countries like France and Spain, marriages with which this church has learned to co-exist without the end of the world happening. Until then the claims of tolerance and merely upholding church teaching do not ring true. In the meantime, these ad-hoc theologies that are patched together by (in many cases) self-loathing closeted homosexuals in the Curia need to be re-evaluated so that Catholicism does not continue to look ridiculous to the rest of the world.
Here's the part that gives me pause: the "right" to "found a family." That sounds absolute, without qualification regarding the means by which such families are produced. The use of surrogate mothers or artificial insemination -- with one parent "removed" by being either reduced to womb or reduced to sperm by the nature of the transaction -- are common means of "founding a family" for gay couples today. Not only gay couples. It's equally troubling when straight people do this. But the limitations of nature (in producing offspring) that are faced by gay couples, and the availability of technology has pressed these questions. The moral aspects of these transactions are important, troubling, and deserve scrutiny.
Appreciate the comments of both Jim and Jim.I think the Church's optimal approach, and the institution has yet to convince me otherwise, involves telling stories like Jim Dunn's as a way of illustrating what sacramental marriage means. Those stories make real and concrete the promises we attempt during the Rite of Marriage.This is where the Church's energies are better placed. And if the institution is right, and the only/best marriages are Catholic sacramental ones, they please, by all means, demonstrate it. Demonstrate not by perfection, and not by applying a hermeneutic of subtraction to same-sex people, or non-Christians, or whomever, as some sort of ideal. Demonstrate it by positive, heroic, sacrificial, and devoted witness.
Rita, good point.My sense is that marriage is less about rights and more about responsibilities. Even a married couple past childbearing age still have responsibilities outside of their relationship, to be generative, giving, Christ-like in their collective approach to Church and society.Additionally, even couples who are able to found a biological family have responsibilities. To adopt needy children if they can. Among other things.The bigotry of the anti-gay marriage movement is clear when you note that they have nothing at all to say about the rights of the half-million American children already-born who lack parents. Don't get me started ...
bigotry of the anti-gay marriage movement is clearI find this name-calling by proponents of 'gay marriage' offensive. Its as though they have all the knowledge no one of any intelligence could possibly see the world differently. Disgusting.
Marriage is a big deal, hence the call for marriage equality.Marriage has changed over time, it wasn't always "one man and one woman" as the church asserts, and it has continued to change as society has changed.How do most childless straight couples who want children solve that problem? Why should same-sex marriages be especially targeted on this issue?Does anyone have a civil right to marry? They do .... http://civilliberty.about.com/od/gendersexuality/f/Is-Marriage-a-Civil-R... ... "The freedom to marry has long been recognized as one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men ... While the U.S. Supreme Court has not yet ruled on same-sex marriage, it is unlikely that it would overturn the foundational premise that marriage is a civil right. "
Like others, my opinion shifted after I met and made friends with several gay couples. Before, it was weird and seemed unnatural. Now, it's still a little odd, but no more so than many of the other things that make humanity diverse.I recently heard someone comment that Pope now emeritus Benedict's December 21 speech (http://www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/12/21/full-text-of-popes-addre... ) was "flawless" reasoning. But however elegant and logical its layout may be, it leaves no room for gays, and so it does not correspond to reality. It's a theory that is self-consistent while ignoring the real world. Isn't that a case of "self-referent" thinking?
Years ago when this issue came up, I read an article in Commonweal that sugested that the Church get out of the marriage business. Leave the decision on who can marry up to civil authority. The church would bless the marriages that they want to bless, and not bless the ones they don't. The church would no longer have to deal with marriage licenses and the like. This whole conversation becomes a civil issue. The church would still have to put forth a theology on what marriages they want to bless.
And so after about 5,000+ years of marriage being understood by mankind as a relationship that requires sexual complementarity, we have arrived at the point where nine judges (in a representative democracy mind you) are posed to throw out thousands of years of human experience and redefine marriage for 300,000 Americans. No society that has been successful enough to leave a record of their existence has embraced so-called gay marriage.If Democrats dont like DOMA, why dont they change the law? Because they dont have the votes, thats why. If gays want gay marriage, why dont they mobilize the legislatures at the state level to change state law? Because they know they dont have the votes, thats why.Why dont they have the votes? Because the majority of registered voters do not approve of homosexuality or gay marriage; thats why.And so gay advocates have schemed with hard leftists and are trying to ram gay marriage down the throats of the typical American voter.I understand polls show the publics attitudes on this might well be shifting. But the opinion of non-voters does not count. The lawmakers should do what the majority of voters tell them to do end of story.
Baby Boomers have spent the better part of their lives not only complaining, but constantly trying to shred the fabric of American society. As they head into their golden years, the real fruits of their labors are eveident: abortion on demand, promiscuity, drug addiction galore, dumbed-down schools, logic replaced by emoting, euthanasia (mercy killing), a return of eugenics under the label genetic engineering and embryonic stem cell 'science', and now gay marriage.They have almost wrecked the country.
Jim McCrea is correct that the Church does not seem to have any problem accepting hetero people in Las Vegas being married for the seventh time by an Elvis impersonator. No protests or politics about that. So where are the walls that are collapsing?. We have spent 56 years in marriage ministry, battling some couples and clerics who only wanted Catholic/Catholic couples in church ministry. We have watched Jews, Mormans, Protestants even agnostics being slowly welcomed.. We have also experienced many in "MIXED' marriages being stiff armed in the early years, never to be seen again. We are in a 57 year covenant Catholic marriage and that is rare in our inner city parish, so we learned that a quiet thankfulness not sneers is the appropriate Christian stance.
KeriLee--What is the age group of generation Y? Just trying to get some context.
One change in marriage is not in who marries who but in 'why' they marry. Sexual complementarity was such a big deal in the past for reasons that are not as relevant anymore: the desire to have a legal heir, the desire to be sure your heir was really yours. Today many people marry who don't want children and many who want children don't marry. People are more likely to marry for love and companionship, not to get an heir and a spare.
Ken, I'm a Boomer, so I know what's what, and those paranoia attacks come from smokin' the high THC blend. Talk to your friendly dispensary owner to see if he's got something mellower. Or turn on some John Klemmerer and think of something pleasant.
I'm very troubled by the thread of thought which equates the acceptability of gay marriage with personal knowledge of gay people. My parents always said to me 'We always love you but we dont always love how you behave'. That is fundamentally what the Church teaching is about homosexuality: Love the person. But it is the antithesis of love to condone behavior which is inimical to the health of the person's soul. Christ's encounter with the adulteress says it best: 'Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more.' God has made us our brother's keepers and simply accepting sinful behavior, even if we believe its innate, is failing this duty. The fact that two people love each other does mean their behavior towards each other in not sinful. All of us know that. So if we know gay people and truly love them, we are not supposed to pretend that their sexual behavior with each other is truly loving. And we are should not accept as healthy every sexual behavior between a consenting heterosexual couple. As lay Catholics, we are supposed to bring Christ's love to the people we encounter every day, which is most especially the gay people we know. As Chesterton said, "The Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. It has been found difficult; and left untried." IMHO, that is where we stand with homosexuality in our society today.
"I find this name-calling by proponents of gay marriage offensive. Its as though they have all the knowledge no one of any intelligence could possibly see the world differently. Disgusting"No.I do not support gay marriage as labelled. But I find offensive those who oppose gay marriage or same sex unions and attempt to wrap their opposition under the guise of "defending marriage."Marriage needs defense against porn, divorce, economic instability, communication issues, addictions, and such. Not against gay people. Gay people aren't forcing me to divorce my wife and marry a guy.The key to sniff out bigotry would be those who speak of children in the abstract, and use them for political leverage against gays and lesbians, and yet have no stance on 500, 000 unadopted children. I agree with Rita if I get her sense that the notion of "designer babies," either by genetic manipulation, IVF, surrogacy, or other methods presents a serious moral problem. In other words, let's deal with the problems directly.Now, if those who oppose gay marriage do so because they are concerned about a domino effect (eg. polygamy) or moral destabilization or such, then please argue it cogently. I will be happy to listen. Please don't sabotage your own efforts by poor arguments, poorly conceived. Bigots make poor arguments. Just show you're not a bigot.
Ken: For how many years were women considered to be the property of men? For how many years were "marriages" simply the coming together of a man and a woman resulting (usually) in children, all without the slightest blessing of whatever passed for church in those days? For how many years was slavery considered to be a perfectly natural thing .. and blessed by scripture?Religious organizations are perfectly free to set whatever restrictions as to what kinds of relationship they will sanction and bless (or whatever) within the confines of their organizations.They are NOT prefectly free to impose their restrictions on other religious organizations. And they are not perfectly free to impose their restrictions on people who adhere to no religious creed.It is time that this country institutes Legal Marriages and continues to allow Religious Marriages. The former are recognized by the state as the vehicle in which 2 people committ to each other, agree to be bound by laws of the land that pertain to their status and, in turn, are eligible for secular benefits, rights and responsibilities. The state will have no say over whatever religions choose to practice, now will the state recognize the representatives of said religions to act in the name of the state.That should keep the advocates of different names for the coming together of 2 individuals happy. The differentiator will be the terms "legal" and "religious" with marriage as the common denominator term.
This is an interesting post, not so much for what it says, but for what it doesn't have: a reasoned argument as to why gay marriage is something that needs state recognition. All the post contains is basically a positivist statement that younger people feel a certain way, and their view will probably win.Well, their view may indeed win. But it's not clear that there's any reason for that except the unreasoned prejudices* of the younger generation. The level of thinking is shallow at best: "I have gay friends, they are nice, what's the harm?"Here's what would be a good start at an argument: Why do you think that "marriage" is a relationship that the state needs to recognize in the first place? Start there and see where the argument goes.* Yes, prejudices, in the literal sense of prejudging an issue without showing openmindness towards the opposite view.
If mixed-race couples wanted marriage, why didnt they mobilize the legislatures at the state level to change state law? Because they knew they didnt have the votes, thats why. It took the Supreme Court in Loving v Virginia to invalidate STATE lows prohibiting interracial marriages. Would this country be better off today if Loving hadn't happened?If one's civil rights are subject to the votes of each and every state, resulting in rights existing in some states, but not in the others, then this country gives lie to its claim that all are created equal. If we want an Animal Farm definition of equal, at least be honest enough to say so.
If we can stop talking about gay marriage and feed, clothe and treat the tens of millions who have no food nor adequate lodging, then I am unequivocally for gay marriage.
Oh, Bill, what in the actual hell does that even mean?
Todd:The bigotry of the anti-gay marriage movement is clear when you note that they have nothing at all to say about the rights of the half-million American children already-born who lack parents.It seems more like bigotry for you to say that some unspecified group of people that you dislike have "nothing at all to say" about these children. Nothing? Are you prepared to prove a universal negative? Rita: Great points that extend beyond gay marriage. Surrogate mothers and artificial insemination should be completely banned. It's the utmost in narcissism that people do these things rather than adopt already-born kids who need a home.
I think Jim McCraig said it best. A few thoughts for reflection.1. Infertile heterosexual couples can marry because their so-called non-procreative condition is caused by nature. At the same time, the Church acknowledges that people who are homosexual do not choose their condition because they are born that way, It is natural for same-sex couples to love one another, as it is natural for heterosexual couples to love each other. It is unnatural for a homosexual person to love a person of the opposite sex, as it is unnatural for a heterosexual person to love someone of the same sex.2. As for the argument about the morality of human action (e.g., the condemnation homosexual sex), the salvation of gay couples rest on the imposed requirement that they must live a life of sexual abstinence. Yet perplexingly, lifetime sexual abstinence or celibacy is a gift from God given to the very few. It cannot be imposed from authority because it must be voluntarily chosen. Many seminarians do not take their final vows because they do not have this gift. Why is it ipso facto that a large percent of the population who are gay are all given this rare gift? The answer is that very few can live a life of "heroic virtue" that is imposed from authority. Hence, we are left with the teaching that homosexual persons, born with a same-sex attraction, are denied salvation unless they live a life of sexual abstinence. They are also denied any right to love a person of the same sex in a faithful and blessed union called marriage subject to the same requirements and conditions as heterosexual people who want to marry. 3. As to the issue of procreation, gay married couples can adopt and rear children just life infertile heterosexual couple can do. The American Psychological Association concluded that there was no difference in the quality of child rearing between same-sex parents versus heterosexual parents. Gay lesbian couples can also bear a child in vitro, as infertile heterosexual couples ca do. The argument that the lack of a procreative ability is a reason that condemns same-sex marriage is lost on many informed Catholics. 4. Jesus said that a person can divorce for unchastity in Matt 5:27-32: "It is said, whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a certificate of divorce. But I say to you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery, and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery." Paul also wrote that if the unbelieving partner separates, let it be so. Thus "spiritual desertion" was a second ground for divorce or separation in addition to the ground of adultery or "unchastity", which Christ had recognized. Yet, we get unconvincing arguments from the Catholic Church that refuses to acknowledge this fact, while other Christian Churches permit divorce under certain conditions. This does not mean that a husband or wife should not forgive the person who commits adultery and try to save the marriage. However, there are many cases where other underlying reasons accompanying adultery destroy the fabric of marital love and burden the family with long-term physical and psychological suffering. In such cases, divorce is an act of love.Admittedly, there is much inconsistency and contradiction in Church teachings regarding human sexuality and marriage. We can only pray that the Church will help us to a better understanding of truth and God's will.
"It seems more like bigotry for you to say that some unspecified group of people that you dislike have nothing at all to say about these children. Nothing? Are you prepared to prove a universal negative?"WT, too many unproven assumptions. First I have no reason to dislike bigots. I disapprove of immoral attitudes toward others, and people who use others, and who misrepresent the needs of man-woman marriage. But I know some of these people, and I even like them.I identified public positions stated by other people and labelled the positions as bigotry. People can actually adopt bigoted positions and not be, in fact, bigots.
Michael J,Razor sharp reasoning!!!Abe, What it means is that loan companies can give payday loans to poor people who end up paying better than a quarter of their salary (if not more) to them and the banks. Yet we say not a word and say it is what the market can bear. What it means is that the poor who live in worse condition than gays, women and married priests are neglected and scorned. It means that a quarter of the world is desperate yet they have no voice. That they have no access to the justice system yet they are way under our radar, etc. etc. etc.........
But what does that have to do with not supporting marriage equality?
Sometimes people pit different issues against each other. The answer isn't redress one bad thing instead the other, it's to fix them all.
Jim Dunn wrote:"Marriage is indeed a big deal in the sense of what it means to the parties to the marriage. It means a long term commitment to another person above all others as they say in good times and bad, in sickness or in health. It means supporting each other and arguing with each other and loving each other even when youre arguing. The error people make, I think, is believing that marriage is about sex. That is part of it, to be sure but after almost 30 years of marriage, I can say that it is about many more things. And watching my parents marriage of almost 60 years, especially in their final years, I saw those other things. In our marriage prep classes, I tell people about my 96 year old father wanting me to move so he could sit close enough to hold my 88 year old mothers hand while she was in a hospital bed. Or my 87 year old mother and 95 year old father figuring out how to maneuver their walkers so they could most easily kiss. That kind of relationship is indeed a big deal."... to which Todd commented:"I think the Churchs optimal approach, and the institution has yet to convince me otherwise, involves telling stories like Jim Dunns as a way of illustrating what sacramental marriage means. "And so here is my comment:First of all, Jim Dunn, bless you for doing marriage prep.If I may say so, your anecdote of your parents illustrates a couple of other aspects of sacramental marriage which you didn't really mention in your comment. One is that marriage is a public institution. (This, I believe, is the ground for the state's regulation of marriage). The witness that your parents gave in their old age was one instance of *public* witness (as indicated by the fact that you witnessed it). This public-witness aspect of marriage is indispensable to its potency as a sign of God's love for us. (I don't know that this point is a point particularly for or against gay marriage, but I think it is an indictment of many contemporary conceptions of marriage that see marriage fundamentally as a private contract for emotional fulfillment and fidelity. The reality of marriage is that it is much more than a private contract - it is a public arrangement with many social implications. Society is a stakeholder in determining what is and what isn't marriage).The second aspect worth mentioning is that your parents are your parents - I am assuming they reproduced you. Reproduction is the end of marriage. (FWIW, my own opinion is that the Rite of Marriage is ripe for a rewrite to bring this reality into sharper focus. When it was last revised, in 1969, I think it's fair to say that the Church didn't foresee society bending the true nature of marriage to the extent that it has).
Now, if those who oppose gay marriage do so because they are concerned about a domino effect "Gay marriage" is already a domino effect. If it wasn't already a domino, you would not need the adjective 'gay' to describe it.
Yes, the people of this generation see no problem with gay marriage, as well as no problem with no marriage. No problem with hooking up, no problem with those who choose to end the lives of newly conceived babies, no problem jumping from company to company, no problem with crass and vulgar language. No problem with intolerance for people who wish to bring religious values into the public square. No problem with bashing republicans, conservatives, and just about anyone who rejects political correctness.Advocating for gay marriage has nothing to do with constitutional equality. It has to do with the final push to demolish traditional morality rooted in sacred writings. I believe in live and let live, but this doesn't require me to deny that every child is the offspring of one man and one woman.
Dude, I'm pretty sure that every child is the product of a stork's visit.
First, many thanks to KeriLee Horan for this post, and for its clear, direct, well-stated summary of her views, her experience and the experience of her peers. It certainly fits well with my own experience in dealing with Gen Y/millenials on this issue. (@Mark Proska 7:38 pm - I think Gen Y is generally understood to refer to those born sometime between the early 1980s and early 2000s.)Marriage has existed in all sorts of cultures and ways throughout recorded human history. Civil marriage in a secular nation-state is a relatively new institution (i.e., within the last 2-4 centuries). Civil marriage in the United States involves, among other things, a slew of legal rights and responsibilities, many of them having to do with property rights.In fact, the case currently before the Supreme Court, U.S. v Windsor, is a property rights case. "Plaintiff Edie Windsor, 83, brought suit against the federal government after the Internal Revenue Service cited DOMA in denying her a refund for the $363,000 in federal estate taxes she paid following the 2009 death of Thea Spyer, her partner for over 40 years. Windsor and Spyer had married in Canada in 2007, but resided in New York. Because Windsor would have been eligible for an estate tax exemption had Spyer been a man, she argues that DOMA's Section 3 violates her equal protection rights under the Fifth Amendment." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/supreme-court-doma_n_2952611.ht... others have noted earlier in this thread, we American Catholics typically recognize and respect all sorts of non-sacramental marriages---Protestant, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, interfaith, non-faith, etc. It's hard for many, particularly many young people, to understand why that attitude should not extend towards married same-sex couples.As for reproduction, it's abundantly clear that many American non-Catholics do not share the Church's teachings on marriage and reproduction. It's also abundantly clear that the vast majority of married American Catholics disagree (in practice if not in theory) with at least one or another of the Church's teachings on marriage and reproduction.
Michael J, pace Bill M., this is not so razor sharp. This bit of what you said didn't make sense: "Gay lesbian couples can also bear a child in vitro, as infertile heterosexual couples ca do." When it is a gay or lesbian couple, a third-party -- either surrogate or sperm donor -- has to be involved in order to produce a child via in vitro fertilization. That's not the same and introduces a host of new questions, which is my point above. Or did you mean "gay lesbian couples" as a sort of collective, where they mix and match for the purpose of making babies? This isn't the same either.
There are so many elements in the question of "gay marriage" that its complexity is surely beyond the scope of one thread, but it seems to me that even before asking whether "gay marriage" is morally acceptable or even possible we should try to eliminate some of the semantic problems -- and they are legion! So I suggest that everyone ask him/herself before saying anything: what do *I* mean by marriage? Do I at times use the term with more than one basic meaning? In other words, are we talking about just one kind of reality or several?Two articles in NYT report on the arguments going on at the Supreme Court this week about "gay marriage". I must say that the participants on all sides seem to be trying to argue wisely and fairly, and they end up clarifying a some of the problems raised by the three cases. Go to:http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/03/26/latest-updates-on-supreme-co... the justices and the lawyers seem to be struggling.
I think that my generation (30ish) still considers marriage a big deal. Even my non-religious friends see it as the goal for a successful relationship. From what I've seen, the discussion about marriage equality has strengthened the institution of marriage. When they might have been tempted to see marriage as an anachronism, it was the gays and lesbians who wanted to get married who were the ones making the pragmatic case why marriage is a good thing to do. Meanwhile, those arguing for discrimination against gay and lesbian couples have been rhetorically undermining marriage. In Tuesday's hearing, the defenders of Proposition 8 argued that the primary interest in recognizing and supporting marriage is to deal with the possibility of accidental procreation. While this is a good of marriage, it is far from the primary good.The primary good of marriage is the creation of a subsidiarity relationship. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness, and in health, the couple agree to support each other. They become a joint unit that is stronger than the individuals on their own. This allows them to do many things that they couldn't do on their own, including but not limited to raising children. Procreation is secondary, which is why people cheer elderly couples who get married rather than accusing them of perverting marriage via their infertility.
Leave the decision on who can marry up to civil authority. The church would bless the marriages that they want to bless, and not bless the ones they dont. The church would no longer have to deal with marriage licenses and the like.That's how it is in France, but it doesn't prevent some very vocal people from mounting operations against gay marriage. Sixty years ago the French Catholic church looked down on civil marriage, with many saying that only the sacrament mattered and that limiting oneself to civil marriage was no better than living in adultery. Now all that is forgotten in the quest to defend the "timeless" "natural" concept of marriage.I think that my generation (30ish) still considers marriage a big deal. I agree although the trend is very significantly downwards, so that may no longer be true in another 50 years.
"..looked down on civil marriage, with many saying that only the sacrament mattered and that limiting oneself to civil marriage was no better than living in adultery. Now all that is forgotten in the quest to defend the timeless natural concept of marriage."Really. I, too, was always taught that only sacramental marriage counted; hence the big deal about getting an annulment before remarrying after a failed marriage. If civil marriage isn't really considered marriage for Catholics, why are we weighing in at all on who can or can't enter into one? Any why should we have any opinion on "civil unions"? For us, they're a meaningless institution to start with.
To realize the novelty of gay marriage consider our English language. We have words forbigamy - entering into a marriage with one person while still legally married to anotherpolygamy - one person in a relationship has married multiple partnerspolyandry - women have multiple husbandspolygyny - men have multiple wivesplural marriage - form of polygyny originally associated with the Latter Day Saintspolygynandry - several people form a single family unit, with all considered to be married to one anotherBut there is no term for homosexual marriage and the language has been around in various forms since about the 5th century according to wikipedia.
"Reproduction is the end of marriage."No. not for sacramental marriage. Marriage, like all sacraments, exists for the glorification of God and for the sanctification of people. The purpose of marriage isn't to make babies, but to make saints. And that means not just the biological children of a couple. But the partners themselves. Adopted children, Grandchildren. Extended family. Neighbors. Parishioners. Strangers. The poor. And so on.Reducing marriage's bottom line to reproduction treats human beings like animals. It belies an aristocratic approach to society, in which the impoverished classes serve the interests of the upper crust: keep the women alive long enough to produce more kids, and the men alive long enough to fight a war or two.Along with the occasoinal bigotry, drawing marriage into the same sex union discussion also reveals the impoverished theology of marriage, and how much the anti-gay lobby draws not on Christian principles, but on Victorianism, the bad side of the Enlightenment, and even some of the very philosophies it might say it opposes.If nothing else, please define marriage by the BalCat: a sign instituted by Christ to give grace. The purpose of marriage is to give grace. Not a license to breed.
"First, many thanks to KeriLee Horan for this post, and for its clear, direct, well-stated summary of her views, her experience and the experience of her peers"I agree. It's almost a perfect distillation of what I perceive the GenY attitude to be. And not only GenY; knowing and loving persons who are gay forces all of us of any age to take gay persons seriously as persons rather than some abstract "other" category.It's worth noting, though, that the post doesn't engage, really at all, any of the serious objections to gay marriage. Again, using this post as a sort of distillation of a generational attitude, that's somewhat worrisome. What if opponents of gay marriage are right in calling out that this GenY attitude toward marriage is looking right past some aspects of marriage that are critical to its health and society's health? Politically, ignoring reality can be very convenient, but in the end, it doesn't make it go away. I'd like to see some serious engagement with the traditional view of marriage and morality.
Well, you need to invent new words when you invent new things. Which is exactly what so-called "same-sex marriage" or "gay marriage" is - an artificial invention.Before one ever gets to the question of equality, one must (or should if he really cares about the matter) first ask the primary and fundamental question of "what is marriage?" What is the ontological, existential nature of marriage? And what role does government play with respect to marriage or, for that matter, what role does government play with any other aspect of life or right? Of course, marriage existed prior to government, so government cannot be the creator of it, except in the artificial sense of inventing new things.But going back to language, notice the very term "gay marriage." Not "marriage" simpliciter, but "gay marriage." That is, it is not marriage marriage, but something different. The union of a man and woman is rightly not called "heterosexual marriage" except by those who insist on engaging in redundancy.
About the Author
KeriLee Horan is in charge of digital media and marketing at Commonweal.


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Jasmine Ross
The Spirit to Succeed
Jasmine Ross '12 doesn't mince words when it comes to talking about Bradley.
"I would tell future students if they want to go far, then go to Bradley. It's a great institution for preparing students for the real world," she said.
An alumna of Bradley's business entrepreneurship program, Ross knows firsthand what it takes to succeed in the business world thanks to the hands-on program that developed her skills as a businesswoman.
"Bradley has prepared me for risks in the business world," she said. "Nothing is ever going to come easy. You have to be willing to cope with certain circumstances."
Ross learned about risk through projects in and outside of the classroom.
As a student, Ross took part in Project Springboard, a competition that offers students real-life business planning experience at Bradley. For the competition, Ross and her teammates dreamed up and launched a new business venture called Comfort. The idea was to provide air travelers a comfortable facility to relax and sleep in during long or overnight layovers in airports.
"We decided to create this facility where you can go and sleep at night," she said. "And you have food, email access and everything else there for you."
In addition to Project Springboard, Ross worked as a consultant during her senior project for a regional office of the Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center, or IMEC. IMEC, located on Bradley's campus, works to improve the productivity and competitiveness of the state's manufacturing firms and, Ross said, she developed recommendations like creating package deal for IMEC to better market themselves to their clients.
"I provided advice to my client as far as what they can do to improve sustainability efforts and other areas within their business," she said.
Dr. Eden Blair, assistant professor of entrepreneurship, introduced Ross to the program as a sophomore. Ross said she was fascinated by the business world and enjoyed how the entrepreneurship program emphasized a hands-on education.
"It's a more experiential type of study," she said. "And I just really love that, because it is really important to the learning experience."
Overall, she said her Bradley education has given her a solid foundation to succeed in the business world.
"I hope to go out into the workforce and use my creativity, knowledge and expertise to bring more of a entrepreneurial perspective to whatever it is I'm doing," Ross said.

subset: commoncrawl


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When it comes to accommodations, New York City hotels are some of the finest in the world. From luxurious, high-end accommodations with views of the Empire State Building to hip, modern establishments just steps from world famous Fifth Avenue shopping, you'll discover all you ever wanted and more in the best hotels of New York.
Perhaps surprisingly, you can also find a number of fairly affordable hotels in NYC. This diverse city offers plenty of alternatives to the quintessential Manhattan high-rise hotel for those who would prefer unique urban charm. If you don't mind staying outside the city, you'll find an even greater range of accommodations to choose in Newark, New Jersey or near JFK Airport at prices closer to mid-America rates.
Hotel restaurants are typically high on the list of essential destinations in the Big Apple for locals, foodies and the average traveler. In fact, some of the top-rated eateries are found inside New York City Hotels. While getting a table at one can be a challenge, hotel guests are generally given preferential treatment. Discover the best of the culinary world and the city by dining on fabulous French cuisine with panoramic views of Central Park, or eating at a revolving rooftop restaurant serving seasonally changing "New American Cuisine" with spectacular 360-degree views from the heart of Times Square.
If you're looking for a romantic couples' escape or a relaxing getaway alone, there's no shortage of New York City hotels for you. Enjoy rooms in one of New York's most desirable neighborhoods featuring wood-burning fireplaces, extra-deep soaking tubs and ultra-lush king –sized beds. Many of New York City's finest establishments also feature spas offering everything from the ancient traditions of Japanese, hot stone or deep-tissue massage to bathing and steam rooms, beauty treatments and even private yoga sessions.
No matter what your reason for traveling to New York City, you're practically guaranteed to find a hotel that will perfectly fit your needs. Enjoy, and take in all this great city has to offer!
Hotels in NYC
If you're looking for a vacation destination that has something for everyone, you need look no further than the Big Apple. New York City has been called "the center of the universe," and it's easy to see why: It's the hub of American commerce, a major theater mecca, a museum buff's dream, and a foodie's paradise. New York City truly has it all, and with Travelocity, you won't have to empty your wallet to see it all: We've got great deals on hotels in NYC as well as flights into the John F. Kennedy or LaGuardia airports.
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- A Fan of the Arts: If you're into the performing arts, there's no shortage of must-see destinations in the Big Apple. Seeing a Tony-nominated Broadway play or musical would be a great experience, but if you're looking for something a bit more highbrow, check out the New York City Ballet at Lincoln Center or attend a concert of the New York Philharmonic. If moving pictures are more your thing, check out the NBC Studio Tour at Rockefeller Center. More of a visual arts fan? There's plenty for you, too, from the many galleries that line the streets of the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan to a plethora of major museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum.
- A History Buff: New York City is rich in historical exhibits, from ancient artifacts to more modern events. The American Museum of Natural History is popular with adults and children alike; kids especially love the dinosaur exhibits! To learn about the American immigrant experience, take a ferry to the Ellis Island Immigration Museum. Or to learn about more recent events, take a moment to reflect on a national tragedy and remember its victims at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.
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Of course, you'll kick yourself if you don't take in some of the city's top tourist sights, the ones your friends will ask about when you get back home. If you're looking to stay in New York City hotels near the southern end of the island of Manhattan, it'll be an easy walk to have a look around Wall Street and pose for pictures with the Charging Bull statue in Bowling Green Park. Then, take the ferry to see the Statue of Liberty: If you plan your visit well in advance, you might even be able to get tickets to climb all the way up into Lady Liberty's crown!
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Finite Element Analysis
Pressure vessel stress analysis
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Efficiently optimize and validate each design step using fast-solving, CAD integrated SOLIDWORKS Simulation to ensure quality, performance, and safety.
Tightly integrated with SOLIDWORKS CAD, SOLIDWORKS Simulation solutions and capabilities can be a regular part of your design process—reducing the need for costly prototypes, eliminating rework and delays, and saving time and development costs.
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Overview
SOLIDWORKS Simulation uses the displacement formulation of the finite element method to calculate component displacements, strains, and stresses under internal and external loads. The geometry under analysis is discretized using tetrahedral (3D), triangular (2D), and beam elements, and solved by either a direct sparse or iterative solver. SOLIDWORKS Simulation also offers the 2D simplification assumption for plane stress, plane strain, extruded, or axisymmetric options. SOLIDWORKS Simulation can use either an h or p adaptive element type, providing a great advantage to designers and engineers as the adaptive method ensures that the solution has converged.
For shell meshing, SOLIDWORKS Simulation offers a productive tool, called the Shell Manager, to manage multiple shell definitions of your part or assembly document. It improves the workflow for organizing shells according to type, thickness, or material, and allows for a better visualization and verification of shell properties.
Integrated with SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, finite element analysis using SOLIDWORKS Simulation knows the exact geometry during the meshing process. And the more accurately the mesh matches the product geometry, the more accurate the analysis results will be.
Since the majority of industrial components are made of metal, most FEA calculations involve metallic components. The analysis of metal components can be carried out by either linear or nonlinear stress analysis. Which analysis approach you use depends upon how far you want to push the design:
- If you want to ensure the geometry remains in the linear elastic range (that is, once the load is removed, the component returns to its original shape), then linear stress analysis may be applied, as long as the rotations and displacements are small relative to the geometry. For such an analysis, factor of safety (FoS) is a common design goal.
- Evaluating the effects of post-yield load cycling on the geometry, a nonlinear stress analysis should be carried out. In this case, the impact of strain hardening on the residual stresses and permanent set (deformation) is of most interest.
The analysis of nonmetallic components (such as, plastic or rubber parts) should be carried out using nonlinear stress analysis methods, due to their complex load deformation relationship.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation uses FEA methods to calculate the displacements and stresses in your product due to operational loads such as:
- Forces
- Pressures
- Accelerations
- Temperatures
- Contact between components
Loads can be imported from thermal, flow, and motion Simulation studies to perform multiphysics analysis.
Mesh definition
SOLIDWORKS Simulation offers the capability to mesh the CAD geometry in tetrahedral (1st and 2nd order), triangular (1st and 2nd order), beam, and truss elements. The mesh can consist of one type of elements or multiple for mixed mesh. Solid elements are naturally suitable for bulky models. Shell elements are naturally suitable for modeling thin parts (such as sheet metals), and beams and trusses are suitable for modeling structural members.
As SOLIDWORKS Simulation is tightly integrated inside SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD, the topology of the geometry is used for mesh type:
- Shell mesh is automatically generated for sheet metal model and surface bodies
- Beam elements are automatically defined for structural members
So their properties are seamlessly leveraged for FEA.
To improve the accuracy of results in a given region, the user can define Local Mesh control for vertices, points, edges, faces, and components.
SOLIDWORKS Simulation uses two important checks to measure the quality of elements in a mesh:
- Aspect Ratio Check
- Jacobian Points
In case of mesh generation failure, SOLIDWORKS Simulation guides the users with a failure diagnostics tool to locate and resolve meshing problems. The Mesh Failure Diagnostic tool renders failed parts in shaded display mode in the graphics area.


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When you create a Google account, Google enables an option that saves all your queries and the results you clicked on. The service is called Web History and it can be extended to all the web pages you visit if you install Google Toolbar.
Web History has many uses, but Google has barely scratched the surface by offering some basic recommendations and trends. Google decided to personalize the suggestions offered when you type a query on Google's homepage by adding searches from your history. Like in Firefox's search box, the historical queries are displayed at the top, but the major difference is that Firefox saves the searches on your computer, while Google saves them in your account.
In the screenshot below, you can see the suggestions provided by Google after typing [gm] in the search box: there are 5 suggestions from my search history (all related to Gmail) and 5 popular queries from Google Suggest.
Google doesn't provide a way to disable the suggestions from your search history, so your options are to log out, disable query suggestions from the preferences page or delete the web history.
Update: I don't see this feature in all my accounts, so it's not available to everyone.
Workin' In A Cocktail Bar
2 hours ago


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Apple's grip on the tablet market it single-handedly popularized is slipping.
The maker of the iPad line of tablets still leads the market with a 55% share, according to a new report from market research firm ABI Research. But that's down 14 percentage points in one quarter alone, and the lowest since the first iPad launched in 2010.
The problem, according to ABI, is that Apple was late to come out with a seven- to eight-inch tablet, well after the point at which it was becoming obvious that people really like that size. And when Apple did finally debut the iPad Mini, it was at a substantially high price relative to rivals such as Google's Nexus 7 and Amazon.com's Kindle Fire. "With the introduction of a smaller, lower-cost iPad mini, Apple has acknowledged Android's beachhead of 7-inch-class tablets, though at the same time, it has failed to deliver a knock-out punch through innovation, pricing, and availability during the most critical selling period of the year," ABI senior practice director Jeff Orr said in the firm's release.
Worse, ABI says, the iPad Mini didn't take back share from tablets powered by Google's Android mobile operating software. Instead, people simply ended up opting for lower-cost tablets. Android's market share rose to 44%. Another recent report from Finvista Advisors predicts that Android tablet sales will overtake the iPad's by mid-2013. Android also recently bested Apple in smartphone shipments, at least before the iPhone 5 launched.
It's not clear from the ABI report which companies benefited the most from the market-share shift. But it wasn't just Google. According to one report, Google is expected to sell about 4 million Nexus 7s by the end of this year, but that's somewhat fewer than some analysts expected.
Amazon says Kindle sales are strong, but it's not providing specific figures to prove it. A report from Pacific Crest Securities says it's likely to pick up a bit of market share in the fourth quarter, but not much.
The big losers are clearly every other tablet, including those running Windows–though that, too, could change if Microsoft's new Surface tablet takes off.
Now, Apple's share decline may well reverse in the current quarter, the first full one for the iPad Mini and other new iPad models, squarely in the heart of the holiday shopping season. And of course, it's far better for Apple to cannibalize its own products than let others do it.
Problem is, it's too late, at least for the moment. Now, rivals are eating some of Apple's lunch, too.


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Since 1947
In the midst of snowy holidays our thoughts turn fondly to those who
warm our hearts all year...treasured folks like you! Merry Christmas and
Happy New Year
Masterfully painted by artist Ted Blaylock, a horsedrawn wagon returns to a cabin nestled in the mountains to celebrate Christmas. Share the simple joys of years past with this timeless scene.
Card single folds to 5" x 7"; white envelopes included. Single's verse also available.
Save on additional sets!
Sorry, at this special low price, card and envelope cannot be personalized.
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Very nice cards
By Barbo2
from Rochester NY
About Me Budget Shopper
Comments about Blaylock Winter Wagon Ride Christmas Card - Set Of 20:
Great price and cards are nice quality.
Bottom LineYes, I would recommend this to a friend
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I love the card, it's not over stated.
By eanjan
from Maine
Was easy to place the order and you did the inscription AS I wrote it...
Beautiful Cards
By Jen
from Peyton, CO
I bought a set of these for my Christmas Cards this year. The picture is exactly what is shown and the cards are printed on sturdy paper. I like the fact that they can be customized with the closing you want and your name. I will be purchasing cards again next year.
This is a great card. I really like it.
By Lorri
from Worley
This is a very nice Christmas card


text:
Find beach vacation rentals
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Search the hotel listings below and choose from ocean views and easy access to the beaches to charming inns offering a vintage home-away-from-home feel or premier AAA four-diamond service. Hotels in Delaware welcome travelers into a world of rest and relaxation.
For a more rustic experience, book a stay at a Delaware campground located near the beach or one of Delaware's scenic waterways. No matter where you stay, your accommodations will help turn your trip into a memorable vacation.


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Thursday, March 7, 2013
Annie McCullough Hancock, 82, widow of Gerald H. Hancock, of Summerville, SC, died on Monday, March 4, 2013 at her residence.
Funeral services will be held Friday afternoon, March 8, 2013 at Parks Funeral Home Chapel at 1 o'clock. Entombment will be held at Dorchester Memory Gardens Mausoleum. Friends may call at Parks Funeral Home on Thursday evening from 6 - 8 o'clock. Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to Summerville Baptist Church, 417 Central Avenue, Summerville, SC 29483, or to Babcock Center, P.O. Box 4389, W. Columbia, SC 29171.
Mrs. Hancock was born November 19, 1930 in Jones, AL, a daughter of James F. McCullough and Annie Spigner McCullough. She was a retired Traffic Manager at the Charleston Air Force Base. She was a member of Summerville Baptist Church.
Survivors include two daughters, Charlotte Bright of Irmo, SC and Barbara Gonnella and her husband Robert of West Yarmouth, MA; two brothers, James L. McCullough of Prattville, AL, and John C. McCullough of Selma, AL; one sister, Nettie Mae Hamilton of Montgomery, AL; three grandchildren, Crystal Bright, James Perry, and Michael Perry and six great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by one brother, Matthew McCullough, and two sisters, Lucille Corley and Willodian Nichols.
Arrangements by Parks Funeral Home, 130 West 1st North Street, Summerville, SC 29483.
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Chairman Ted Stone stood throughout the meeting that started at 7 p.m. and did not adjourn until after 10:30 and never lost control of the proceedings although discussions became heated at times.
The majority of the crowd, including a large contingent of football players, appeared to be at the meeting to object to a notice of non-renewal received by an assistant football coach, but several teachers and other concerned citizens were also in attendance.
Nine teachers received notices March 4 because their positions will not be funded next year, and eight were informed their contracts will not be renewed because of performance issues.
Following the discussion about the non-renewals, work-based learning coordinator Dianne Banks gave a presentation on the program at Jones County High School. She talked about the positive impact of work-based learning for students and noted that the presentation to the board is a requirement of the program.
Banks helps the students with placement opportunities. She said all the placements flow through her, and 24 students are participating this year. The teacher reported that the students worked a combined 13,018 hours and earned $90,323 in salary.
Superintendent Jim LeBrun presented an overview of the budget and explained a funding loss of $1,774,930 from the state and an additional 3 percent for 2010. He said the problem is compounded by the $5 million in austerity cuts by the state of the past five years.
The superintendent reported that all school principals were attending a GLISI (Georgia Leadership Institute for School Improvement) summit that is excellent training program at no cost to the school system. The summit is the second segment of the training, which reviews concepts of improvement as a team effort for the entire system.
LeBrun said GLISI is sponsored by the Coca-Cola Company.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification for the new elementary school on Turnerwoods Road was the next topic of discussion. LeBrun said he met with architects and Parrish Construction Management and could not recommend the additional funds needed for the certification.
He said the improvements needed for the certification could add as much as $1.5 million to the cost of the school.
According to the U.S. Green Building Council website, the LEED rating system encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria.
LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings.
Board member Mark Andrews asked to see the specific items involved and their costs.
LeBrun explained that the school is energy efficient, but the goal is to meet the standards for a green school without expending more funds. The item was tabled per Andrews' request to investigate requirements further.
The LEED certification is graded on a point system, and the school has 22 of the 29 points needed
"That's pretty close," board member Deloras Moon said. "Obviously we are not going to spend another million dollars. I don't want to spend another dollar."
The superintendent said bids for the construction of the new elementary school will go out this month, and Stone explained that it is important to go forward with the building of the school in order to benefit from $5 million in state funds.
"At the end of five years, the school is paid for. With the state funds, we are building the school at half price," the chairman commented.
LeBrun reported that bids were obtained for the air conditioning system at Gray Elementary. He said the elementary school is 42 years old, and the air conditioners need to be replaced. He recommended that the Board accept the low bid of $12,364 by Bryant. Board members voted unanimously in favor of the recommendation.
Following a closed session, LeBrun made a recommendation for the hiring of several part-time employees to complete the year and announced the retirement of office manager William Collins and administrative assistant/benefits coordinator Beth Jernigan.
A motion was made in favor of the recommendation, and it was passed unanimously.
The final item discussed at the meeting was presented to the Board by JCHS senior class president Emily Ward. The student asked why her class's graduation was moved from the football field to Milledgeville.
LeBrun said the decision was made as the result of a survey last year. He said the results of the survey indicated that 80 percent of the participants wanted it moved to an inside facility that would accommodate everyone.
Ward said she nor any of the seniors she knew took part in the survey and they want the graduation to take place on the football field.
LeBrun said he would speak with JCHS principal Chuck Gibson.
"We want to abide by the wishes of the students and parents," he said.


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AVON, Colo., April 13 (UPI) -- A Colorado company has introduced the first-ever marijuana vending machine, which will soon be put to use at a dispensary in Eagle-Vail, Colo.
The so-called Zazz machine was produced by Stephen Shearin's company, American Green, and was delivered to the Herbal Elements dispensary Friday.
The dispensary debuted the machine to the public outside Montana's Smokehouse barbecue restaurant in Avon on Friday.
"We're looking forward to using the ZAZZ machine to easily track all this inventory … we're gonna eliminate the middle man. It'll go straight from the budtender right into our machine. There's no room for theft by patients, employees … there's no way to lose track of the inventory," Herbal Elements owner Greg Honan said.
"They would swipe their driver's license at which point multiple cameras would allow us to use some advanced biometrics to make absolutely certain that the person who swiped the card is the owner of that card," Shearin said.
Check out the official unveiling today @MontanasAvon! Thanks Liz for the pics ^_^ #zazzz pic.twitter.com/rp5FXAdtvG— Herbal Elements (@HerbalColorado) April 12, 2014


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Kudos to the winning volunteers and their centers.
A tremendous amount of skill and expertise!
The winning classroom instruction materials will serve thousands of students around the country this year.
Contest awards included cash, tablets, and collateral for the winning centers.
Click here to see more pictures from the winning centers
Click here for a listing of submissions.
"We couldn't be more thrilled to see our people use computers to enhance their quality of life. We also want to thank the volunteer tutors who give selflessly of their time to teach our tribe members – young and old. What the online world has to offer will be enlightening" said Fawn Sharp, chief of the Quinault Indian Nation.


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Men's Secret Bedroom Fears
Guys' Bedroom Fear: He's Not Big EnoughThe fact that a lot of guys look at porn every once in a while is hardly a secret, but all that browsing can lead to a bruised ego. "Porn stars are often well-endowed, and it's only natural to compare your goods with the ones you see on-screen," says Lyle, 33. "Most guys can't help but feel they are on the smaller side and not big enough when in bed with a girl."
Guys' Bedroom Fear: You Won't Like His BodyYou're not the only one concerned about bulges and soft spots. Nearly all the guys we talked to admitted to having some serious body insecurities. "I don't have sculpted shoulders or a buff chest, and a lot of girls like that, so getting naked can be intimidating," says Dan, 27.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: He'll Soak the SheetsUh, no, not that way. "Some guys sweat more than others, and I do so excessively," says Ben, 31. "I always worry that will turn her off."
Guys' Bedroom Fear: His Feet SmellA lot of guys worry that an up-close look at their toes might gross you out. "Most guys don't take care of their feet, and when you are in bed, they can look gnarly—or worse—smell bad," says Steve, 31.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: Bodily Functions Will Get the Best of Him"There are very few guys who will admit this, but you always worry if you will fart while getting a blow job," says Jake, 30.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: He Won't LastFinishing too fast is a common concern, so guys will go to great lengths to prolong the action. "I will think of garbage, baseball—anything to prolong the moment," says Michael, 24.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: You Won't OrgasmDespite what some guys say, for many of them, your pleasure is their primary concern. "Once she finishes, it's like, thank God," says David, 30.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: Dragon Breath"I'll carry Listerine strips or rush into my bathroom for a quick brush," says Harrison, 27.
Guys' Bedroom Fear: Not Sounding Sexy"I don't know how to dirty talk, and I know that if I copy what is said in a porn video, it's hit or miss," says Ben, 31. "Instead, I'll just moan, but even then, I worry I am doing it too loud or wrong!"
Guys' Bedroom Fear: That He's a Bad LoverYou've heard the stories of "jack rabbits"' and "mop kissers," and so have men. "You wonder if someone is saying you're great but telling her friends something else," says Gus, 30. "Every guy likes to think about himself as a great lover, but you never really know."
Guys' Bedroom Fear: Not Being Able to Rise to the OccasionOK, ladies, before you start to question his attraction, understand that there are a number of reasons guys lose their erections—nerves, depression, and alcohol are just a few—but whatever the cause, it ranks up there as their top fear. "It doesn't happen often, but we know it's a possibility that it won't work or last the whole session," says Chuck, 27. "If it happens, please don't think it has anything to do with you or make us talk about it."