“A vote for this amendment is a vote for bigotry pure and simple.”

-Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, Speaking on the Republican (and Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE)) proposed gay-hating amendment in the United States Senate.

It doesn’t matter if you’re Democrat, Republican or Independent. If you stand for freedom, individual rights and a constitution free of racism and bigotry, stand tall today. Check out AMERICABlog for some great action items.

Geez, it really is hard out there for a Kennedy. From the AP:

A plane carrying Senator Edward M. Kennedy, Democrat of Massachusetts, across the state on Saturday was struck by lightning and had to be diverted to New Haven, Conn., his spokeswoman said.

The plane, an eight-seat Cessna Citation 550, lost electrical power, and the pilot had to fly it manually, the spokeswoman, Melissa Wagoner, said. No one was hurt.

Mr. Kennedy had just given the commencement address at the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts in North Adams and was on his way to his Cape Cod home when the plane was struck around 4 p.m., Ms. Wagoner said.

The plane landed at New Haven at 4:11 p.m. without incident, said Arlene Murray, a spokeswoman for the Federal Aviation Administration. A report was filed with the agency, she said.

Mr. Kennedy planned to stay in Connecticut overnight, Ms. Wagoner said, because he was scheduled to give a commencement address on Sunday at Springfield College in Springfield, Mass.