BREAKING NEWS: ‘My commitment to you is unwavering,’ Obama tells gay rights group

[Roon]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

[Bolo Boffin]

1. Oh, good.

With one stroke of the pen, Mr. President, you can issue an executive order and send DADT to the wastebasket where it belongs.

[bigwillq]

2. ....

:thumbsup:

[laconicsax]

9. The linked article says he'll do it when the time is right.

Since the right time was years ago, I'm not sure what that means.

[dflprincess]

29. And when will the time be right?

For that matter, when has the time ever "been right" for progressive change? It has always taken people (both politicians and the public) of courage to force the issues.

[laconicsax]

50. Exactly.

It's been time to get rid of DADT for years so the 'when the time is right' line means nothing.

[Mz Pip]

52. How about on Monday?

why wait?

[Mari333]

3. He avoided the subject of gay marriage

and the word 'marriage' needs to be said. GAY MARRIAGE. he has not committed to that for all the words he is speaking.

[VMI Dem]

5. His religion prevents that.

[Mari333]

8. He needs to challenge his own religion, than

Lots of people used religion to deny black and white couples the right to marry. I would like to think he isnt that stupid.

[Critters2]

41. He did change his religion. He used to be UCC, which supports gay marriage.

I'm a UCC pastor, and I've done two gay weddings in the last month. He was UCC until the Rev. Wright thing. I don't know what he's doing religion-wise now, but he hasn't always belonged to an anti-gay church.

[bigwillq]

11. Separation of church and state.

When you're the prez, you represent ALL people. That is not an acceptable excuse.

[armyowalgreens]

12. Fuck his religion.

[QC]

14. Marriage equality seems to be the only issue that his religion says anything about.

Things like war and social justice, he never discusses his religious beliefs on them, but when it comes to marriage then he suddenly gets all Southern Baptist on us.

How convenient.

[katandmoon]

15. Since when? It certainly didn't always

[VMI Dem]

21. When is always? His campaign? His campaign for state office?

His campaign for Senate? Why do people seem surprised with who this guy is?

[katandmoon]

23. See link inside

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/13/obama-once-supported-same_n_157656.html

[VMI Dem]

25. Not what he says in "The Audacity of Hope" or during his national campaign.

[Mari333]

26. Thank you for that link! so why did he change his support of gay marriage??

running to the center for bi partisanship? what gives?

[Sapphocrat]

54. Maybe he didn't understand the definition of "marriage"?

After all, he was in favor of decriminalizing marijuana before he was opposed to it -- before he was in favor of it, which was before he was opposed to it, because, well, he didn't understand what "decriminalization" really meant.

Confused? Mr. Obama explains: "I think we need to rethink and decriminalize our marijuana laws, but I'm not somebody who believes in legalization of marijuana."

Clearer now?

But, hey! Here's the good news! You know that robocall I came home to the afternoon of Election Day? The one the Anti-Gay Brigades used to get Prop H8 passed? The one that had a recording of our very own President's very own voice: "I believe that marriage uh, is the union between a man and a woman. Now for me as a Christian ... (cheers, applause) For me... for me as a Christian it's also a sacred union. Now God-- God's in-- in the mix."

You know that one? I think, just maybe, Mr. Obama didn't understand the meaning of the word "marriage." Or maybe the word "union." Or maybe the word "the."

Whatever the case, I just know he has a PLAN, and we're all just too stupid to understand the behind-the-scenes macchinations he's going through on our behalf, the poor man! I mean, he's playing a master game of chess, and we're all, like, not just playing checkers -- we're all, like, a bunch of one-celled organisms playing checkers!

So... So, there!

P.S. Why do you hate America??!!11111///??!!!!!

[laconicsax]

16. So what?

His religious beliefs shouldn't drive public policy. So far the only reasons he's given for opposing marriage equality are his private religious beliefs and his ick-factor. Both are bullshit reasons.

[Lex]

20. WHAT? His "religion" (Christianity) used the Bible to justify segregation.

nt

[ruggerson]

27. exactly n/t

[Critters2]

42. No. The UCC was one of the first to support civil rights.

Congregationalists (the UCC) were the first mainly white denomination to ordain an AA pastor, Lemuel Haynes, in the 1790s. Harriet Beecher Stowe was a Congregationalist, and was influenced by her faith to write a book speaking out against slavery. Andrew Young, a close associate with Dr. King, is a UCC minister.

[Lex]

43. I was responding to "his religion prevents that." His religion is Christianity

and that religion has used the Bible to defend segregation in the past.

Glad to hear that his particular brand is more evolved.

[Critters2]

44. The fact that his particular brand is more evolved

kind of blows a hole in your broadbrush.

[Lex]

46. No, my statement is factually correct.

nt

[laconicsax]

51. You're forgetting that no true Scotsman puts sugar in his porridge. n/t

[dflprincess]

28. Before the election he attended the United Church of Christ

which supports Gay marriage and was one of, if not the first, main stream denomination to do so. Though, even if it didn't, what his religion does or does not support should be irrelevant to what he does as President - his job as president is to see all citizens are created equally under the law.

[struggle4progress]

62. What nasty and dishonest comment

[Enrique]

63. and religion prevents EVERY catholic from being pro-choice

fortunately many politicians put their job ahead of their religion.

[Critters2]

65. Except Obama's religion prevents no such thing. Obama is UCC. nt

[alarimer]

67. His religion is simply wrong.

Listening to bigots is ALWAYS wrong.

[QC]

4. More pretty words....

[SammyWinstonJack]

61. Exactly. nt

[malaise]

6. Live coverage on CSpan1

Excellent speech

[The Straight Story]

7. He is just looking for another Nobel Prize

:evilgrin:

[Nikki Stone1]

10. Nada on DADT...

:grr:

[Parker CA]

18. You must have missed this quote...""I WILL end don't ask, don't tell. That's my commitment to you."

[Nikki Stone1]

22. A proposal, but no ring and no date.

We'll see.

[theHandpuppet]

30. Good

I will expect to hear tomorrow morning that he has ended it. Otherwise, it's just more meaningless blather.

[Nikki Stone1]

34. Exactly.

Hey HP!

[Sapphocrat]

58. Hahahahahahahaha! That's a good one!

He promised to start the DADT repeal the very day he took office.

You want proof? You want links? Oh, ask me -- pleeeeeeeeeease ask me for a backup link! I would lurrrrrrrrrrrrve to-- oh, to hell with it. Here, here's the proof, in the form of a response to everyone's oh-so-fucking-precious Human Rights Campaign:

November 29, 2007:

“If you are elected President, what concrete steps would you take to overturn ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell?’”

Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL):

"Fourteen years ago, the Democratic Party faced a test of leadership, and our party failed that test. We had an opportunity to be leaders on the World stage in eliminating discrimination against gay and lesbian service members, to recognize the patriotism and heroism of the hundreds of thousands of gay and lesbian citizens who have served our country. Instead, we bowed to fear and prejudice. We were told that American soldiers weren’t ready to serve next to gay and lesbian comrades. We were told that our airmen, sailors and Marines would lose their “unit cohesion” if we implemented a policy of equality. And so, rather than embracing leadership and principle, we embraced Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell — a policy that is antithetical to the values of honor and integrity that our military holds most dear. Patriotic gay and lesbian Americans are now told that they may serve their country only if they hide their true identities. They are forced to live a lie as the price of risking their lives for their country.

"Fourteen years later, the United States of America lags far behind. We lag behind our military allies, who are repudiating discrimination against lesbian and gay soldiers in ever increasing numbers — in Great Britain, Canada, Israel, nearly every NATO member in Europe — all with no impact upon military readiness and performance. And our politicians lag behind the American people, who now call for the repeal of Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell in super-majority numbers. It is time for a change.

"As president, I will work with Congress and place the weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will make nondiscrimination the official policy of the U.S. military. I will task the Defense Department and the senior command structure in every branch of the armed forces with developing an action plan for the implementation of a full repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. And I will direct my Secretaries of Defense and Homeland Security to develop procedures for taking re-accession requests from those qualified service members who were separated from the armed forces under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and still want to serve their country. The eradication of this policy will require more than just eliminating one statute. It will require the implementation of anti-harassment policies and protocols for dealing with abusive or discriminatory behavior as we transition our armed forces away from a policy of discrimination. The military must be our active partners in developing those policies and protocols. That work should have started long ago. It will start when I take office.

"America is ready to get rid of the Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. All that is required is leadership."

http://www.hrcbackstory.org/2007/11/senator-barack-obama-pledges-to-end-dont-ask-dont-tell-and-to-help-reinstate-gays-and-lesbians-kicked-out-of-the-military-due-to-this-policy/

GodDAMNit, people, do you think all Teh Gheyz have that Drew Barrymore "50 First Dates" temporal-lobe damage thingy that makes us forget shit every 24 hours? Or do you think we're making shit up? Or are you so UN-fucking-informed, you don't keep track of this shit the way we do?

My freaking Jesus H. Jimeny Jumping Crickets on a Trailer Hitch -- WE ARE NOT FUCKING STUPID!

[Libertas1776]

13. More sweet nothings

that turn into bitter orange wax in my ears. When he physically does something, then I will applaud.

[EFerrari]

17. You know what to do, Mr. President. n/t

[Lex]

19. "Actions speak louder than words."

-- anon.

[Rockholm]

33. They usually do.

[izquierdista]

24. It's too short to waver

While amber grain may make waves in the wind, the stubble left after the harvest just sits there.

[NYC_SKP]

31. The crowd there sounded VERY happy with his comments. I'll side with them...

...:applause:

recommended.

[Neecy]

32. ha ha ha

Yeah, the HRC crowd really represents the gay community....

I'll "side with" the people at the March tomorrow.

[Rhythm]

36. I'm with you there...

And if i could, i'd be with THEM there tomorrow.

Ah... the perils of domesticity.

[Lex]

35. Rich white gay guys who would otherwise be Republicans

= HRC.

[Unvanguard]

37. Considering what Joe Solmonese said about health care reform

somehow I doubt that.

Actual gay wannabe-Republicans like Andrew Sullivan hate HRC for being too liberal.

[Lex]

38. Doubt away if you like, Solmonese gave Obama a pass 'til 2017.

He double-talks as much as Obama on the issues.

[Unvanguard]

40. First, I'm not sure what that has to do with Republicanism

and second, that's not what Solmonese actually said. He merely pointed out--accurately--that it's a little early to judge the Obama Administration on gay rights.

[Sapphocrat]

49. Cool! I'll only be 56!

Beginning my second half-century of waiting for... for... What am I waiting for again?

Oh, yes, I remember: the fierce advocacy of warmed-over rhetoric.

[ruggerson]

53. I'll take you out for your birthday

after we get fitted for dentures.

[Sapphocrat]

56. I have a coupon for the Denny's Early Bird special! n/t

[theHandpuppet]

59. Hell, I'll be 65

At the rate Obama is proceeding with his "fierce commitment" to gay rights, my partner and I will have to have our marriage ceremony post mortem.

[Neecy]

39. Yep.

The DC HRC cocktail crowd loved Bill Clinton, even after DADT and DOMA. All they care about is access, like any other wealthy boors. They throw a big dinner to pay their executive salaries, hobnob, and that's basically all they do until next year's dinner. They would have applauded Obama wildly if he had stopped in mid-speech and taken a crap in someone's dinner plate. That's who they are.

[BlooInBloo]

45. Totally. Everybody knows that the only REAL gay folks are poor non-white gay folks.

:rofl:

[Lex]

47. You're right. Only rich white guys count.

nt

[BlooInBloo]

48. Uh... I'm not the one saying certain gay folks don't count...

+1 for ability to copy someone else's snark.
-5 for the inability to determine whether or not it applies.

[Lex]

55. LOL.

Zoomed right over you. Whoosh.

[jmondine]

57. It's also unmoving

[struggle4progress]

60. Many posting in this thread seem to believe Democracy is a Spectator Sport. But it's not.

To conceptualize this as a game -- where we help the team by screaming from the bleachers towards the field "Punt, dammit, punt!" -- is to completely misunderstand the situation

It is better to think of Obama as having briefly the helm of the Ship of State

It is not simply a matter of turning the rudder once towards the intended port and sailing there

A certain portion of the crew is always ready to mutiny, nor can he ignore the prevailing winds and waves. The would-be mutineers try direct us towards sandbars or navigate us towards the doldrums -- and whenever the helmsman appears to fail they will also try to stir up the winds and waves of popular opinion against him: some of them have been doing that for quite a long time and are rather good at it

We need to know the mutineers, since they are not all the same: some will never be friends, and we can only hope to drop them off at some port in 2010 or 2012; some might become friends if we visit some of their destinations; some only care whether passengers like them

It is also our task to stir up winds and waves pushing the craft in our preferred direction. Those winds and waves are compounded from thousands of local fights: we need municipal ordinances and state statutes supporting equality; we need to roll back the anti-equality constitutional amendments; we need state and local officials who will stand for the right thing

Fighting over the rudder can only lead to sailing about in circles. We may need to drop anchor in a few unexciting safe harbors on the way. And, course, if we confuse a high sandbar with the desired destination, we will lose the helm -- and the next helmsman will set sail back in a direction opposite from that which we desire. How long this takes will depend on how intelligently we work

[Stevenmarc]

64. The change I can believe in will be when your words become action

[NMMNG]

66. His commitment to our money and votes is unwavering

Beyond that....