“The court also held that “the purported ‘right to marry a person of the same sex’” requires first “asserting that marriage includes the union of two persons of the same sex,” and concluded: “A fatal flaw in this position is that it assumes the truth of the proposition to be proved.” To the claim that same-sex marriage is rooted in the nation’s history and tradition, the court responded, “Plainly, it is not.” Where Judge Walker believed the only rationale for defining marriage as the union of a husband and wife was animus, the Texas decision found legitimate state interests in doing so…”

“Some tourists, amateur photographers, even would-be filmmakers hoping to make it big on YouTube could soon be forced to obtain a city permit and $1 million in liability insurance before taking pictures or filming on city property, including sidewalks.

New rules being considered by the Mayor’s Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting would require any group of two or more people who want to use a camera in a single public location for more than a half hour to get a city permit and insurance.

The same requirements would apply to any group of five or more people who plan to use a tripod in a public location for more than 10 minutes, including the time it takes to set up the equipment.

Julianne Cho, assistant commissioner of the film office, said the rules were not intended to apply to families on vacation or amateur filmmakers or photographers…”

“…Nevertheless, the New York Civil Liberties Union says the proposed rules, as strictly interpreted, could have that effect. The group also warns that the rules set the stage for selective and perhaps discriminatory enforcement by police.

“These rules will apply to a huge range of casual photography and filming, including tourists taking snapshots and people making short videos for YouTube,” said Christopher Dunn, the group’s associate legal director.

Mr. Dunn suggested that the city deliberately kept the language vague, and that as a result police would have broad discretion in enforcing the rules. In a letter sent to the film office this week, Mr. Dunn said the proposed rules would potentially apply to tourists in places like Times Square, Rockefeller Center or ground zero, “where people routinely congregate for more than half an hour and photograph or film.”

The rule could also apply to people waiting in line to enter the Empire State Building or other tourist attractions…”

This is an interesting case that boils down to whom one trusts: the President or the Press. Personally, I trust the President over the press here. It just seems like the press and their adherents are incorrect, either ignorantly seizing on something they perceive as an invasion of privacy, or maliciously trying to spin the situation and zing the president who dares to maintain the proper function of the state over those who would sabotage the proper function of the state. Check out both articles.

²⁶This is the interpretation of the thing: MENE; God hath numbered thy kingdom, and finished it.

²⁷TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting.

²⁸PERES; Thy kingdom is divided, and given to the Medes and Persians.

– Daniel 5:26-28

“The Republicans could learn a lesson from that passage. The voters have found the GOP wanting in too many policy areas. LIkewise, the President, who is said to read through the Bible frequently, might want to take a gander at Daniel. It seems that he, like the King, is confused by the message and we need to clarify it for him. Mr. President, we want to fight the war. Make no mistake about it, the philosophers on TV are telling you that America wants to retreat from Iraq. That is not the case. In fact, we want you to fight the war and we don’t see you doing that.”