Comments on: Obama pledges to work this year to end "Don’t Ask" in State of the Union

By: Tim

Tim — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 22:28:14 +0000

I would definitely like to see DADT repealed, and it should be a priority, but ENDA is much more important and will make a diffeence for more people in our community. Obama has proven that he is all talk and no action, or in some cases, such as upholding the rotten Defense of Marriage Act, his administration actually works against us. If he wanted to he would issue a stop loss order preventing the discharge of gay & lesbian service members until Congress changes the law. All he did was give us more lip service, and what good is that when some of the Dems in Congress are already making excuses about why they don’t think they can pass ENDA or the Domestic Benefits & Obligations Act. Mark my words, if the Dems don’t at least bring these bills up for a vote, my partner and I will turn our backs on them. Not that we will vote for Republicans, God forbid, but we will not give them another dime, won’t volunteer them, and will likewise stay home on election day if there aren’t any deserving Democrats who have proven themselves to vote for on the ballot. So far, its looking pretty bad for Obama in our book, and the same can be said for both of our Virginia senators Webb & Warner, both of whom refuse to sign on as sponsors for ENDA, DPBO or the repeal of DADT. If they vote against us on these bills why should we vote for their re-election??? And that goes for the rest of the Dems in Congress; lets just call it tough love.

By: mcjay

mcjay — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 21:01:19 +0000

Although I am all for ending DADT, I’m not in the military and ending it would not help advance any of my civil rights. I’m disappointed that the President ignored discrimination in marriage, insurance, tax, housing, etc., etc. Unless I see substantial improvement in these matters, I will not be a Democrat at the next election.

By: Jerry

Jerry — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:58:57 +0000

There are times when it’s nice to see a politician playing nice with everyone. There are times when a leader has to be more than nice and drag people kicking and screaming to do the right thing.

I’m sorry to say that while I still think Obama is better than McLoser would have been, Obama is looking like a wimp.

By: Peter the saint

Peter the saint — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 20:55:50 +0000

Testimony at the Prop 8 trial by Political Science expert/professor claimed that political definition of an ally means they will sail into stiff winds of opposition for you, like the ACLU etc. Said that Obama is the PERFECT EXAMPLE of an unreliable ally. Here is the bloggers’ quick transcript:
————————
Defendant-Intervenors’ Counsel Thompson continues his cross-examination of Plaintiffs’ Expert Witness Professor Gary Segura.

Thompson moves admission of HRC annual report, DIX 1331
OBJECTION as to statement of fact. (Objections are very hard to hear as attorneys don’t approach the mike)

JUDGE WALKER: These documents provide a basis for the witnesses testimony, and the document is what it is. Whether I take judicial notice or admit it, it is what it is.
T: Play clip of Obama’s speech
Walker: Oh this is the 20th of January, isn’t it?
(Laughter)
Obama talking his fierce advocacy fight in front of the Human Rights Campaign dinner last year. “I’m here with you in this fight. You will see a time when your relationships are recognized.”
Obama:: “Nobody should be fired from their job because they are gay if they are doing the job they were hired to do.”
Obama: “If my nominees are attacked for who they are, I will not waver in my support.”
Obama: Bunch of ‘working with the Pentagon and the HIll on DADT. I WILL END DADT!”
[Crowd at HRC dinner goes wild]

Thompson: Using your definition of political ally, does Obama count?
SEgura: Given my concerns about unreliabibility of allies, he is THE BEST EXAMPLE of an ally who cannot be relied on. Surely we can agree that there is a big difference between giving a nice speech and fighting for real rights.
Thompson: So you think he is not an ally?

Segura: He opposes marriage equality; he continues to dismiss people from the military he heads; when prop 8 sister resolution emerged in the state of MAINE, OFA sent emails asking for calls into New Jersey and Virginia but nothing for Maine, or Washington. With the possible exception of HRC, most gay rights orgs think Obama is a particularly disappointing ally.
T: Signing ceremony in the rose garden for hate crimes?
S: FOr the defense authorization bill. Prez Obama is a very good speech maker.
T Has he introduced legislation favoring LGBT?
S: Strictly speaking the pres doesn’t do that but if he did that would be a sign.
T: Pledged to sign ENDA
S: Yes I heard the video
T: And it has passed the House
S: Yes
T DiFi a soft ally
S Yes
And you would define a reliable ally, you would say they would seet aside alternatives and sail into stiff winds
S: Yes, as opinion polls have waned in support of Obama, the Speaker has indicated that the House would not take up social legislation until the Senate does. Also setting aside ENDA or DADT or DOMA — there are other priorities, would endangerour coalition behind other bill x or other bill y.

By: Doctor Whom

Doctor Whom — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:54:32 +0000

“I will believe it when I see it.”

QFT. By now we should have moved beyond the point where a mention in passing and a little tokenism sufficed to make a politician our hero.

By: Duane Snodgrass

Duane Snodgrass — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:47:26 +0000

WOW! Virginia Governor supports repealing DADT and also supports gay marriage?? LOL

“…where opportunity is unequal, we must make it open to everyone.”

By: Duane Snodgrass

Duane Snodgrass — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 03:10:17 +0000

I will believe it when I see it.