There really isn't much anyone can say anymore about the horror. As always, hard working photojournalists have captured this moment as a nation mourns and rallies to help its neighbors in Oklahoma. Click here for more photographs and photographer credits.

 

 

A CBS reporter was interviewing an elderly lady who lives alone with her dog. The tornado tore the dog out of her hands and she thought she had lost him for ever. This is a moving tape in the mist of utter devastation.

 

 

After surviving initial votes in the House of Commons , a resurgent anti-LGBT movement among Conservatives is placing marriage equality in jeopardy. Prime Minister David Cameron is unrelenting in supporting marriage equality despite over 100 members of his Conservative Party pushing back.

While it is important for the Conservatives to push on with marriage equality, it is equally important that the Labour Party not hurt our chances by being 'too cleaver for their own good'. They must not sit on the sidelines and allow the Prime Minister to twist in the wind on this issue. Labour MP's must speak up and fight hard for marriage equality. Silence is an enemy in this case.

The BBC reports:

Nick Clegg has warned against attempts to "hijack" proposals to legalise same-sex marriage in England and Wales ahead of key votes in the House of Commons.

Tory critics have tabled an amendment saying heterosexual couples should be allowed to have civil partnerships, if gay couples are allowed to get married.

Ministers say the move, which Labour may back, would delay the whole bill.

Mr Clegg said he backed extending civil partnerships in principle but would not allow the bill to be "derailed".

And Downing Street played down any suggestions the bill would be dropped, saying the government "has a legislative programme and it is getting on with it".

The Marriage Bill was approved by a 225-vote majority when it was last debated by MPs in February, but nearly half of all Tories voted against it and many party activists remain deeply opposed to it in principle.

The legislation returns to the Commons on Monday amid other divisions within the Conservative Party on Europe and attitudes towards the party's grassroots.

David Cameron has said equal marriage would help build a stronger and fairer society, and the bill also has the backing of the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour Leader Ed Miliband.

But according to ministers, reconsidering the status of civil partnerships would delay the introduction of same-sex marriage by two years, as it would prompt a fresh consultation period and possibly have a knock-on effect of adding as much as £4bn to pension liabilities.

MPs get a free vote on the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill because it is considered an issue of conscience.

Tim Loughton is among a group of Tory MPs who will try to amend the bill, with a plan to extend civil partnerships to heterosexual couples.

BBC political correspondent Gary O'Donoghue said some in Westminster - including some Tory MPs - were saying the amendment was an attempt to "wreck the bill" because it could delay its passage beyond the 2015 general election.

READ ENTIRE ARTICLE HERE>>>>

 

 

LGBT Kenyan citizens gathered in Nairobi today to protest conditions in the nation for the their community. Courageously gathering despite a ban by the government, they were immediately limited by the police to the staging area in Freedom Corner of Uhuru Park. 'Out in Kenya" leader Julie Jules said, "Basically the police stopped the procession because we would be seen to be 'promoting homosexuality' ".

 

 

Plaza Tower Elementary School

Thousands of homes have been totally destroyed and the death toll has risen to over 50 people including some children at an elementary school. The tornado by size, distance and destructive power is one of the worst to hit the United States. Above is the picture of the Plaza Towers elementary school.

 

 

 

The damage from this mile wide monster tornado is massive. Some long time observers describe it as the worse they have seen. Here is the first clear video of the tornado. It was hard to get clear shots because it was so massive and rain-wrapped.

Warning in second video you can hear people cry for help.  Just click on the second one to start it.

 

 

 

New York University President John Sexton in a message to the entire NYU community soundly has condemned the vicious hate killing that took place in the shadow of NYU. He urged the university community to attend the march and rally this evening (Monday) that begins at 5:30PM at the LGBT Center located at 208 West 13th Street.

Here is President Sexton's entire message:

Dear Friends,

I am saddened to report to you that on Friday night, a 32-year old man was fatally shot on Sixth Ave, near the heart of our campus. That sadness is compounded by a sense of shock and outrage, as the Police Department has indicated the victim was targeted and killed for being gay.

Such a crime is an assault on the values we hold dear as a University community and which we share with our neighborhood: a commitment to the diversity that makes New York City great, and support for members of the LBGTQ community. We stand united with those who reject and condemn the attacks on individuals who are perceived as different or identify as such, and we offer our deepest sympathies to the loved ones and friends of Marc Carson.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and other elected officials and community leaders have organized a rally this evening to denounce hate violence. I am certain many members of the NYU community will wish to join to signal our own community’s longstanding and unwavering commitment to protect and celebrate the diversity. The March will begin at the LGBT Center at 208 West 13th Street at 5:30 pm and conclude with a rally on West 8th Street and 6th Avenue at 6:00 pm.

New York is the safest large city in America, and NYU is in one of its safest neighborhoods. Nonetheless, as shocking and unusual as this crime was, I want to take this opportunity to remind all members of the NYU community to use common sense in your daily activities; to avail yourselves of the round-the clock presence of NYU Public Safety Officers; to make use of the safety resources offered by NYU, including safe rides that will take you to or from any NYU building during nighttime (available by calling (212) 992-VANS (992-8267)); to contact the Wellness Exchange (wellness.exchange@nyu.edu; 212.443.9999) directly or on behalf of a friend if you are having any difficulties coping with the news of this senseless tragedy; and, in the event of an emergency, call 911 or NYU's emergency number, 212.998.2222.

We especially encourage our students to be mindful of the fact that the diversity we all celebrate at NYU remains a contested notion for some, but that we have every right to assert and demand the freedom to be who we are and the protections that go with it.

Be safe and be well.

Sincerely,

John Sexton