President Obama on Homosexuality: 'I Don't Think It's a Choice'

[bigtree]

October 14, 2010, 5:35 PM ET

Speaking at a town hall meeting put on jointly by BET, MTV and Country Music Television, Obama also said a person’s sexuality is not a choice.

“I don’t profess to be an expert – this is a lay person’s opinion – but I don’t think it’s a choice,” he said. “People are born with a certain makeup. We are all children of God. We don’t make determinations about who we love.”


read: http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2010/10/14/obama-on-homosexuality-i-dont-think-its-a-choice/


REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

[kestrel91316]

1. So then, Mr. President, why is it right and moral to bar people

from marrying because of an accident of birth?? Do tell.

[Unvanguard]

2. "God is in the mix." n/t

[csziggy]

13. BINGO! That was exactly my thought when I heard that bit replayed

How can he of all people continue to allow this discrimination without actively working to correct it?

[ClarkUSA]

14. Ask Hillary that and every single major presidential candidate in 2008, too, while you're at it.

Bubba felt that way until Sept. 2009 and he's been retired since 2001.

[Ignis]

Two wrongs still don't make a right.

:thumbsdown:

[ClarkUSA]

35. Blah, blah, blah... save it for someone isn't bored by cliches. No major presidential candidate...

.... will ever favor gay marriage for the foreseeable future.

[Ignis]

40. Thanks for your continued civility. You're a real asset to DU.

Though perhaps the diminutive suffix "-et" is unwarranted. :shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

54. Thanks! I feel the same way about you.

[Ignis]

66. Blah blah blah, indeed.

Don't you have someone vulnerable to be berating, badgering, or bullying? You should really focus your charms on someone who still believes you're entering this discussion in good faith.

[JonLP24]

32. We can

but I wouldn't agree with them either.

[quinnox]

3. and yet he will get no credit for this

He seems to get hammered regardless of what he says on this issue.

[donco6]

4. What he says and what he does are two different things.

And that's what gets to people. We're not buying the words anymore. We're looking at the actions. And they don't look good at all.

[ClarkUSA]

18. Blame GOP obstructionism. Pres. Obama has nothing to do with DADT not being repealed.

Or did you conveniently forget the Senate vote on repealing DADT? Of course you did.

[WillParkinson]

60. It's easy to blame the Republicans for everything that goes wrong...

But there are enough spineless Democrats, too.

As for him having nothing to do with DADT not being repealed, I disagree. Getting up on stage and making some comments about how it should be done isn't the same as using his bully pulpit to be the 'fierce advocate' he promised while campaigning.

[FreeState]

16. Why should he get credit for saying he thinks this?

Seriously? What?

[quinnox]

24. this is a big deal for a President to say

you don't see the significance of this?

[Occulus]

41. This is ALSO a big deal, and means a lot more than a statement:

http://www.scribd.com/doc/39348303/DOJ-Request-for-Stay-of-DADT-Injunction

Take a look at letter C.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[FreeState]

51. No - its 2010 not 1900 n/t

[joeybee12]

17. He shouldn't...this is a pathetic response, an attempt to have it both ways...he thinks!

I'm not an expert...once more, a caveat so he can sort of appease us without really getting the people he's afraid of mad.

[ClarkUSA]

19. Tell us more about what Pres. Obama "thinks". I'm really into psycho babble!

:rofl:

[Shining Jack]

70. JFK and LBJ weren't aerospace engineers.

But they didn't come up with a lame excuse like that when there was this race to the moon. Doesn't Obama have scientific advisers? You know, people who would brief him about the latest discoveries in Genetics. Just imagine that speech: "First, I think...err, that this nation should maybe commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of err landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.But I'm no expert. "

[Smashcut]

22. He gets credit for stating an obvious truth?

What year are we in?

[quinnox]

27. 2010, and this is a huge deal

Obama should get due credit, a President of the United States making this statement, yet all I hear are petty insults and gripes.

[Smashcut]

29. No it isn't.

Jarrett's statement got so much backlash precisely because it should be beyond the pale at this point for anyone in power, certainly a Democrat, to think anything other than that sexual orientation is an inborn trait.

So no, it's not a huge deal and he doesn't get a pat on the back for saying it. Certainly not with his track record in this area.

[Chulanowa]

36. I agree with Smashcut

He doesn't deserve credit, he deserves a "Welcome aboard, better late than never"

[quinnox]

38. Well, in my opinion there are a lot of ungrateful folks out there

Don't get me wrong - I have been a long time critic of Obama, heck, I have been very harsh on him, I'm no cheerleader - but it took guts to say these words, and instead of praise, all I see are griping and complaints.

[Chulanowa]

55. And i'm not one of the regular Obama Bashers

In fact I spend a fair amount of time pointing out what dipshits they are.

I don't think the president needs any bashing on this. But nor does he really need "credit" - saying that being gay is not a choice is a lot like saying that the sky is blue, or that water hs certain qualities pertaining to dampness. He's not exactly going out on a limb here.

If he were a candidate... then maybe it would deserve some credit. But as a sitting official who's certainly going to be with us until 2016, it's not especially bold.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. "We are all children of God. We don’t make determinations about who we love.”

But ya gots to be other-sex oriented to enjoy the benefits of marriage.

[NMMNG]

49. Ingrate

You should enjoy the crumbs straighty is willing to throw you. :eyes:

[WillParkinson]

6. Sorry, I'm a child of my mom and dad...

Not your god.

Your god doesn't belong in my government, especially if you're going to use it to deny rights to people.

[terrya]

9. Exactly.

I wish he hadn't referenced god.

And I'm sorry, but...he "thinks" it isn't a choice?

It's been said that the Obamas don't know any gay or lesbian people personally. I think it's pretty obvious.

[Bumblebee]

25. He obviously has known gays and lesbians personally, both as a university

instructor and politician. To suggest otherwise is being unrealistic. I am very upset that they are appealing; and, yes, he could have been more firm and more "godless" in his answer -- but I don't believe it has anything to do with him not knowing or being friends with gay people.

[Smashcut]

34. Who?

Who are the Obamas' close personal gay friends?

[Bumblebee]

42. I obviously do not have a list of all his close personal friends -- do you?

[Smashcut]

44. No, I don't

But I can name other close personal friends of the Obamas who are straight.

And I could have named close gay friends the Clintons had in 1992 (!).

But in 2010, I have never seen, nor heard of, any close personal friends of the Obamas who are gay or lesbian. And I'm talking about people he and Michelle had to dinner, went to events with etc. before he became president.

Think about it: can you? It explains quite a bit.

[Catherina]

62. That was my second thought. What's this God shit doing in politics?n/t

[Whisp]

7. what a homophobe!

:sarcasm:

I've heard Obama called that here so many times and it makes me sick how a word like that is thrown around so cheaply, how it loses it's true horrific meaning if it's used so recklessly.

[xchrom]

8. Well then why dont you THINK we should have marrige equality?

Geez -- if jets any more Fiece he's gonna need a rocking chair.

[The Philosopher]

10. Sigh.

There's so much wrong with that statement. He's leaves it open for Republican attacks. "Oh, experts do say it is a choice," they'll say. "God wants you to choose the opposite sex, so even the President agrees!" they'll say.

[readmoreoften]

11. However, we need to poll people to make sure they want to stop discriminating against people

for the way they're born.

They'll fire Sherrod in a heartbeat, but this "lifestyle" asshole will stay on staff I guarantee.

[jaxx]

12. How much plainer can he say it?

K&R

[Catherina]

63. Action not words. The campaign ended 2 years ago. n/t

[joeybee12]

15. Pretty lame..."I don't profess to be an expert..."

lame, lame, lame...put a caveat in there in case someone gets upset that in case you state something emphatically.

[jaxx]

20. If he'd have said 'my expert opinion' is......

would that have been better? Lame is pissing on everything.

[ClarkUSA]

23. Some people think everything Obama has said or done has been "lame" since 2008.

Don't worry, when Hillary takes her rightful place as co-president next to the homophobic asshole who signed DADT and DOMA into law, all of America's troubles will melt away!

[Smashcut]

26. Upthread, I asked "What year are we in?"

I guess for you, the answer is 2008. :shrug:

[ClarkUSA]

31. Go tell it to PUMAs like FDL's Jane Hamsher and her fans.

[Smashcut]

33. If you can't let the primaries go, you're as much of a PUMA as anyone.

[ClarkUSA]

39. Go tell it to PUMAs like FDL's Jane Hamsher and her fans. I'm very satisfied with President Obama.

[Ignis]

21. K&R for some great words.

Now please put them into action, Mr. President.

[Iggo]

43. 'Words!'

Now do something about it, Prez.

[W_HAMILTON]

28. That makes me even more pissed.

If he doesn't think it's a choice, why the hell is he letting open discrimination take place against them?

[walldude]

30. A very.. um... Politic answer.

Too bad his actions don't match his words on this issue.

[ipaint]

37. No, I am not a child of your god.

You are free to believe you're a child of the easter bunny for all I care but don't include me in that belief.

Too bad he can't say we are all human beings with equal rights regardless of sexual orientation. Oh well, that's the toxic mix of religion and government- the morally superior need scapegoats.

[Number23]

45. Rec'd. As expected, it means nothing around here.

[Number23]

46. delete da dupe!

[ruggerson]

47. I give him props for saying it, but why drag God into it everytime he discusses this?

I didn't vote for him to be head Preacher.

I voted for him to be the President of the United States.

[Jamastiene]

48. I will give him credit for trying.

He is at least trying.

I do still think we all have a long way to go though.

[cherokeeprogressive]

50. It sounds like the issue of sexual orientation as a lifestyle choice is up for discussion here...

No one who truly believes that sexual orientation is part of the make-up of a person as I do would see Obama's words as concrete evidence of anything whatsoever. Is anyone who is not an expert allowed to believe it's not a lifestyle choice?? That it's not even up for debate? I'm not an expert, and I fucking know in my heart it's not a choice, and I'll gladly tell everyone I know, what I know to be true.

My 18 year old recently told me she knew she was gay before she knew what gay was. If I was on the fence about it being a choice before (I wasn't), those words from her would have put the issue to rest in a heartbeat, and for all time.

Here's how I see what President Obama said, and I paraphrase...

"Now, I'm not an expert you know, this is totally a laymen's opinion, but you know... I've never actually been to the moon myself, and there ARE people who think it's made of green cheese. Now listen up... I'm going to go out on a limb here and say I don't think it really is. Made of green cheese I mean. I don't think it is, but like I said, I'm not an expert so there you go. I don't think it is. Let the experts decide."

Kudos to you Mr. President, for being such a Fierce Advocate. You've got 'em right where you want 'em; Scratching their heads and wondering not what you THINK, but what you BELIEVE.

Seriously? You don't think it's a choice?

[ruggerson]

52. And God is responsible for green cheese.

[cherokeeprogressive]

53. Not completely sure. What do the experts say? n/t

[Catherina]

64. +1 n/t

[Radical Activist]

77. Obama agrees with you and you're attacking him for it.

:shrug:

[bullwinkle428]

56. "Above my pay grade" works in many situations!

[applegrove]

57. Good. I hope he doesn't appeal the judges orders re DADT.

[snooper2]

58. I believe this is the first time a U.S. President has said this

Some would think it was a good thing...

[Touchdown]

59. Still gnawing on that bone?

How many threads are you going to start about that? Until people are convinced all the other shit he pulled was our imagination too?

[bigtree]

67. I started ONE thread on this issue. This one.

I started it because my other thread about the President's campaigning was hijacked by folks upset with Jarrett and the President who claimed that he shared her view about 'choice'. There's plenty of facts in evidence to support the anger folks feel about the President's actions (and non-action) concerning the LGBT community's concerns, rights, and issues without resorting to unsupported speculation about how he feels about Jarret's comments. He's stated his view in 2007 and he's affirmed that earlier view in his comments yesterday. Beyond that, I really have no interest or motivation to defend him on LGBT issues, rights, and concerns at all - and I haven't.

Further, I really don't know why you feel so secure and righteous in making unsupported accusations against ME as you complain about the President's candor.

[Touchdown]

69. Okay. You posted it in another thread, and it doesn't mean shit now either.

I just see you trying to push the meme as if you haven't been debunked already. Unsupported? Not hardly!:rofl:

[bigtree]

72. you're being ridiculous

You're animated enough to raise the issue, but you can't bear any response. I can't understand what you're looking to accomplish by turning me into the target of your angst. The President's words deserve to be highlighted along with the criticisms here. it's a shame that you can't discuss the issue without castigating me for responding to the complaints on an UNRELATED thread I posted.

[Touchdown]

74. The target of my angst?

Where did you get your doctorate in psychiatry?

As I said in that related thread that is "completely unrelated" Obama has done much more than allow a close advisor to diss us and excuse it as a slip of the
Tongue with a dismissive apology. I don't give a fuck what he says in public when the cameras are rolling. It's all for show.

[bigtree]

75. that's politics

. . . and he didn't invent it.

Most folks sure do seem to care what he says (and others as well) - especially when they disagree. You certainly cared enough on the other thread (about the President urging folks to vote) to put Jarrett's words in his mouth.

[Touchdown]

76. You are right. It is politics. He pays her. She speaks for him.

There is a 2 and a half year history with Senator/President Obama and the slights and downright insults on the glbtiq community. On the concerns of gay people, he is tone deaf, patronizing, aloof and phony, no matter how he says the right words once in his life... As long as the cameras are rolling.

[Le Taz Hot]

61. "I don't think it's a choice."

Really? Can he GET any smarmier????? OMG and the apologists in this thread! HE'S CHALLENGING THE STAY OF DADT! He's announced he's against gay marriage. He's done nothing about DOMA. Rick Warren at the frickin' inaugural! And I'm supposed to give him credit? I don't think Pod People is too strong a term here.

[Catherina]

65. Sorry Bigtree but that's a bunch of nothing. n/t

[bigtree]

68. I agree it's just talk, Catherina

But, he was asked a specific question and he gave an answer consistent with his earlier comments (2007) dismissing the 'choice' argument.

My motivation in posting was to set the record straight on the facts in evidence about how he regards the issue of 'choice'. There's more than enough evidence regarding his actions (or lack of action) on LGBT issues he supported during the campaign to justify the criticisms made here. I don't believe, however, that it's credible to insist that he shares Jarrett's view that she stated in that interview. His comments clearly repudiate her statement.

(I also don't think there's a bit of difference between his saying he 'thinks' homosexuality isn't a choice and believing it, as some folks here are arguing. I think he made an clear and unequivocal statement as he's qualified to make. More so than any other president has, I think*)

[Radical Activist]

79. Words only matter when something offensive is said.

Like Valarie Jarrett's comment. That's the message I'm getting in this thread.

[VMI Dem]

71. Do you also believe him when he says marriage is between a man and woman?

[bigtree]

73. this post isn't an endorsement of what he said. It's an attempt to set the record straight.

What I believe he means is irrelevant. I do take him on his word on this issue. He deserves to have his stated views represented along with the criticisms and charges flying around here. His actions speak for themselves, though.

[Radical Activist]

78. I guess people are unrecing this because they disagree???

I agree with Obama. It's not a choice.