Gene Roddenberry (and, by extension, characters like Jean Luc Picard) will always be a powerful inspiration for freethought. If by chance we don't go extinct first, someday humanity will be looking back across the stars and saying the same thing about 21st Century Earth, and that is an encouraging thought.

Dear Kiki, you are not only my best and oldest friend, you are my family. 30 years and counting, it has been a privilege to grow up with you and to have each other through all of the ups and downs. Your parents are my second parents, your sister and her amazing brood are extended relations. Aside from my own parents and brother, your family has been the one other constant throughout my life and I am indescribably grateful for that, and for you. I love you so much and am so happy to wish you a special birthday this year as you start your own family!

"State government should not be forcing people to make a choice between making a living and violating their own faith."

If your faith dictates that you treat other law-abiding humans like second class citizens, then you should reevaluate your source of morality. I support everyone having their own personal beliefs as long as it makes them good people (sadly rare). I certainly don't support using religion as a crutch to absolve yourself of blame for douchebag behavior and bigotry. That said, bringing public attention to their ignorance is the way to go, NOT lawsuits. Call them out with a warning, try to educate them. Giving them information and a chance to make it right would be setting a much better example than simply slapping them with heavy fines.

Just because: what my gimpy right hand looks like compared to a normal right hand. In addition to obvious hypoplasia, the rest of fingers don't flatten, metacarpals don't close and even the wrist is a clusterfrack of crunched up bones. I've always wondered what life would be like with opposability and closeability on two whole hands but alas...a sensation I can't imagine at all.