Obama fully funds LGBT witch hunts in FY2010 budget

[FreeState]

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2009/3/29/714383/-%5BUpdated%5D-Obama-fully-funds-LGBT-witch-hunts-in-FY2010-budget

This morning on Fox News Sunday, Chris Wallace interviewed Defense Secretary Robert Gates. Wallace asked Gates a couple of questions that gave us some disturbing insight into the President's commitment to his campaign promise to repeal the discriminatory Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT) policy.

anscript:

WALLACE: In January, White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs gave a one word answer, "Yes" when asked if this President is going to end the policy of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" for gays in the military. Where does that stand and why is there currently money in the 2010 budget to keep enforcing that policy?

GATES: Well it continues to be the law. Uh and any change in the policy would require a change in the law. Uh, we will follow the law, whatever it is. Um that dialog, though, has not really progressed very far at this point in the Administration. Uh I think the President and I think we've got a lot on our plates right now and um, let's push that one down the road a little bit.

Pam Spaulding on Pam's House Blend:

So the first question is why hasn't the dialog progressed? Presidential candidate Obama needled John McCain for not being able to "walk and chew gum at the same time"; in this case he had the data points in hand supporting repeal before he took office. If the administration doesn't want to use the political capital, someone should just say it and take the heat rather than issue this mealy-mouthed position -- and continue the discrimination.

Blender Keori, also on Pam's House Blend:

In the first two months we have gotten the President hosting FRC (Family Research Council) and CWA (Concerned Women for America) at the White House, a beefed-up Office of Government-Endorsed Christianity - sorry, Office of Faith-Based Initiatives headed up by an evangelical anti-gay "pastor", a signing of a non-binding U.N. resolution that doesn't actually obligate the Administration to DO anything for LGBT people in this country, and now this. We have heard NO declarations of support for marriage equality at the state level. We have heard NO official statements of support for immigration equality, AIDS research and treatment, an inclusive ENDA, the Matthew Shepard Act, or the repeal of DOMA. And now, we have it from Obama's own Defense Secretary that discriminating against gays willing to die for their country is perfectly okay with him.

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Wow Im sure someone will stand up for this type of behavior but I wont. Its time we demand real leadership for the Democratic party.

(Edit to add I did not see the other post on this already, sorry for the dupe!)

[msongs]

1. there ya go again criticizing the "new democrats" - gee they just like the old ones nt

[Vanje]

2. Disscussion on the subject in GD

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5351621&mesg_id=5351621

[Smarmie Doofus]

3. Rec # 4. Sorry kids... this is the way it works.

We're seeing this in NYS also: just getting "friendlies" elected isn't enough. You have to RIDE the MFers if you want real change on these issues.

I mean *relentlessly*.

The hard work for this community is just starting.

[bluedawg12]

4. But they keep yelling back for us to just STFU.

I think your correct, it's time to clean our own house. "friendlies?" :sarcasm:

[TechBear_Seattle]

16. I had a case of friendlies once

A few treatments with Qwell took care of that pretty quickly.

[donheld]

5. I still believe Barack will end this soon

[Solon]

6. Define soon, because according to this, it won't be within the next year, and perhaps 2 years...

and that's the minimum.

[NMMNG]

7. Maybe when hell freezes over

Or at least when he doesn't to worry about losing any of his bigot votes. :eyes:

[TheWraith]

9. No, that's the baseless assumption of somebody on Daily Kos.

donheld is right, this is going to get done in the reasonably near future. Probably not the first hundred days, but I wouldn't be surprised to see it later this year.

[Solon]

13. Its already taken place, a bill is already on the schedule to be introduced in late April...

in the House that will replace DADT with a non-discrimination policy. The Administration can do one of two things here, tell Gates to shut the fuck up and then support the passage of this bill, or they can ask Congress to delay it, if they do ask Congress to delay it, then that would be unconscionable.

[Toasterlad]

8. Given His Repeated Foot-Dragging On or Blatant Disregard For GLBT Concerns...

...what possible reason do you have for feeling that way?

[TEmperorHasNoClothes]

10. I do too

Obama made it clear that he was the commander in chief and he sets the mission. The mission is nondiscrimination.

[TechBear_Seattle]

15. Go ahead, hold your breath. I dare you

Don't worry, we'll be standing by with resuscitation equipment. :hi:

[Ratty]

11. I fully expect Obama to chicken out

DADT won't be repealed by this administration. At first I believed in political necessities and realism. Sure Obama *says* he doesn't support gay marriage but gosh, I thought to myself. The man does have to get elected. Of course he has to say that. He doesn't really think gays and lesbians shouldn't marry.

After the Rick Warren slap in the face and all the same old faith-based shit we're seeing though I'm having my doubts. I think he really does believe it. Gays and lesbians are not important to this president. He has no reason to repeal DADT.

[Jamastiene]

12. It's the same old story.

The same old song and dance. Aerosmith couldn't have said it any better.

I like what someone said upthread, we have to ride even the "friendlies" get get anywhere at all. :eyes:

[TechBear_Seattle]

14. Is anyone really surprised?

Folks were predicting this about Obama since late 2007. As for demanding "real leadership," what do you propose, FreeState? As long as the Democrats hate us a bit less than the Republicans, we have no choice under America's Two Party system.