Ok, so if it passes, here's what we do:

The IRS specifically bans churches from getting into politics. If Prop 8 passes, then the Mormon church (and the Catholic church they used for cover) can be shown to have inflicted harm on a group of people The last time a church was sued for getting into politics, the plaintiffs lost because the couldn't show 'harm'. (this was pro-choice groups in the early 80's suing the Catholic church. See here: http://bulk.resource.org/courts.gov/c/F2/885/885.F2d.1020.86-6092.1486.html and the money quote "First, plaintiffs must show that they have suffered an injury in fact that is both concrete in nature and particularized to them."). I would consider the LOSS OF MARRIAGE RIGHTS to be injury, don't you?

Here's the IRS laws:

IRS on Tax Exempt Status:

Section 501(c)(3) describes corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literacy, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition (but only if no part of its activities involve the provision of athletic facilities or equipment), or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual, no substantial part of the activities of which is carrying on propaganda, or otherwise attempting, to influence legislation (except as otherwise provided in section (h)), and which does not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements), any political campaign on behalf of (or in opposition to) any candidate for public office.

IRS on Lobbying:

In general, no organization, including a church, may qualify for IRC section 501(c)(3) status if a substantial part of its activities is attempting to influence legislation (commonly known as lobbying). An IRC section 501(c)(3) organization may engage in some lobbying, but too much lobbying activity risks loss of tax-exempt status.

The Mormon church has been planning this since 1997 (see here: http://www.calitics.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=7396 ) and was cynically going to use the Catholics as the 'face' of the effort. I say TAX 'EM. Tax them and use the money to plug the holes in the budget. You can't have it both ways, people.

Forgot to post some cooking images until now. Here they are:

Flourless molten chocolate cake with raspberry sauce and heavy cream.



Yummy and super-easy. I'll post the recipe if anyone wants it.


Cheapo ravioli with marsala wine cream sauce and chanterelle mushrooms. When there's nothing else in the house but cream, frozen pasta and some dried wild mushrooms. Turned out ok.





Soup of all the different sausages in the freezer and the remaining kale and french lentils. Bizarre, but tasty. Spanish Chorizo, some hot Italian sausage, and maybe even some andouille for good measure.





And today's quiche, made from farmer's market leeks, some yummy gruyère cheese, and bacon. Amanda and I will eat it this week at work. Hope it's good.

Amanda sez I should post this video of me petting a capibara in the Peruvian Amazon. Here it is:

Turn your sound way up - he makes cute noises.

Capibara

I was making dinner for Amanda right after I did a giant kitchen purge/clean/re-organize. I was consolidating all the bulk rice, beans, lentils, etc and moving their containers about, finding a better location. We decided on wild mushroom risotto, so after procuring fresh shitake mushrooms and some wine from PCC, and rehydrating some dried chanterelles from my pantry, I proceeded into the risotto process. Right away I discovered that the rice didn't seem right. It smelled a bit starchy and wasn't acting right. In the process of the kitchen re-do, I had dumped 3 pounds of sushi rice into the arborio container (they look almost similar, after all) and then used that for the risotto.
It *looked* right, but certainly didn't taste or act right.



She was a good sport and ate it. I did too. The wine helped.