U.S. Senate votes 65-31 to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't tell"

It's a beautiful and historic day for equality rights for LGBT citizens in America! The U.S. Senate has just voted 65 to 31 to repeal 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell,' which was the policy adopted in the 1990s banning openly gay men and women from serving in the U.S. military. The law now goes to President Obama's desk for final approval, which it will get hopefully quickly.

My faith in Americans to do the right thing for their LGBT citizens has long been shaken, with all the recent referenda and votes to ban equal marriage. But today, it's great to see a victory for my American LGBT friends and others who support true equality.

A court ruling in Canada in the early 1990s led to the end of our ban on openly LGBT solders in the Canadian military. It's nice to see the Americans finally catch up with us on this important issue.

Bigot McVety's big mouth gets his show pulled from CTS...

Ah, the sweet taste of justice! As most readers will already understand, Charles McVety is an outspoken bigot. His words, broadcasted last year on his CTS show, Word TV, have finally gotten him into trouble with the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council who have found him in violation of broadcasting codes for statements that implied there was a "malevolent, insidious and conspiratorial purpose" to the activities of homosexuals.

The report said McVety violated sections of the Canadian Association of Broadcasters code of ethics, particularly the clause that calls for "full, fair and proper representation." You can read full details on the report here.

Infamous for his constant, unrelenting, and bigoted attacks on the LGBT community, and his disgusting and frequent access to our Prime Minister's ear and office (not to mention his great power to influence federal Conservative government policy), I'm sure McVety will rail against this decision as unfair and a violation of his freedom of speech. Of course, our free speech laws don't give anyone the right to peddle hatred and lies over the air waves so I'm quite pleased with this decision to shut the bigot McVety down.

I hope Dalton McGuinty grows a spine and stops listening to this bigot when it comes to setting our school curriculum (although sadly I won't be holding my breath). Homosexuality is a natural part of the human condition and our high schools are, undoubtedly, still hotbeds of homophobic bullying today. That we leave our young queer students alone to suffer in these violent conditions is evil, and surely something that brings a smile to McVety's face. Expanding knowledge of the reality of this world (not McVety's hocus pocus version of it) including the existence of gay and lesbian people is long overdue in our school curriculum in Ontario, Mr. McGuinty.

I hope the mainstream Canadian media (including the National Post) thinks twice before quoting McVety ad nauseum again on some social issue in future.

And I truly hope his hate-peddling T.V. show never sees the light of day in this country again.

Happy to be a 'Pinko' cyclist in anti-mayor Ford's Toronto

Respect for taxpayers? There was nothing resembling 'respect' emanating from City Hall today, that's for sure. I did hear many shrieks of shame and buyers' remorse from ordinary Torontonians.

Said national embarrassment Don Cherry while introducing anti-mayor Ford today: "I’m wearing pinko for all the pinkos out there that ride bicycles and everything...Put that in your pipes you left-wing kooks."

Talk about a great beginning to the four-year gong show that will be anti-mayor Ford's reign of error. Great job, Don!

I rode on my bicycle for 6.6 kms to work today in below freezing weather. I'm more of a man than Rob Ford and Don Cherry (in their cozy limousines, no doubt) will ever be. Stick that in your pipe, you fascist kooks!

December 6th remembered: Tories would win majority and wipe out gun control legacy?

Am I the only one who found the timing of this political report by Nik Nanos to be quite inappropriate? It's been 21 years (I still remember watching the initial reports on the news as a teenager) since 14 women were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal, Quebec by a man with a long gun. This tragedy became the impetus for passing stronger gun control laws in this country, including the much-needed long-gun registry.

The last thing we needed to hear today (even if I don't believe the analysis) was that our misguided Prime Minister Stephen Harper could win a majority government were an election held today and subsequently wipe out our gun control laws. I pray this terrible result never occurs.

On this day of remembrance, I remind you of the names of the 14 women who lost their lives 21 years ago today in Montreal:

* Geneviève Bergeron (born 1968), civil engineering student
* Hélène Colgan (born 1966), mechanical engineering student
* Nathalie Croteau (born 1966), mechanical engineering student
* Barbara Daigneault (born 1967), mechanical engineering student
* Anne-Marie Edward (born 1968), chemical engineering student
* Maud Haviernick (born 1960), materials engineering student
* Maryse Laganière (born 1964), budget clerk in the École Polytechnique's finance department
* Maryse Leclair (born 1966), materials engineering student
* Anne-Marie Lemay (born 1967), mechanical engineering student
* Sonia Pelletier (born 1961), mechanical engineering student
* Michèle Richard (born 1968), materials engineering student
* Annie St-Arneault (born 1966), mechanical engineering student
* Annie Turcotte (born 1969), materials engineering student
* Barbara Klucznik-Widajewicz (born 1958), nursing student