AP - Obama to extend benefits to gay workers

This is nice

but evidently the Prsident thinks we're cheap hoes. Talk about the community in the most bigoted way but I'll buy some flowers and candy and she'll forget all about it.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 20:34:31 PM CDT

"President"

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 20:35:11 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

No good without ENDA

Yeah right.  So someone wants to apply for benefits... they'll have to bring in 10 pounds of paperwork and a notarized affidavit.  Then they can get fired for being gay.  How special.

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by: swei0009 @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:14:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

no, i don't think so.

this is for federal employees only.  there is a policy in place to prevent firing of federal employees without grounds just because they're gay.  so this will be a safe new set of benefits for non-military same-sex couples to use when one or both of them are federal employees.  it's really a good thing in principal, but of course it won't help the vast majority of lgbt americans.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:18:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let Them Eat Cake

This action by Obama, especially as a memorandum and not an executive order, is but a crumb. It's like Obama saying from his White House mansion to the peasants outside, "Let them eat cake." Pitiful.

Boycott and protest the DNC-LGBT Fundraiser on June 25th in Washington DC!!!

Close the GayTM. Only give to candidates who have actually done something other than make promises - most are just pandering for our cash.

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by: JohnVisser @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:59:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A good steel hoe is not cheap.

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by: aggieric @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:18:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

flowers & candy

yeah, but someone took a bite out of each of the candies & put 'em back...& the flowers are plastic swiped from an old grave.

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by: grover nerdkissed @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:11:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

How is this not a direct contradiction of DOMA?

I"m all in favor of DOMA being overturned, mind you, but this seems to be pretty close to treating the gay spouses of federal employees as spouses.  

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by: Valatan @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:16:35 PM CDT

as long as they don't declare anyone married

or recognize marriages, it's not a conflict.  here's doma:

  1. No state (or other political subdivision within the United States) needs to treat a relationship between persons of the same sex as a marriage, even if the relationship is considered a marriage in another state.
  2. The federal government may not treat same-sex relationships as marriages for any purpose, even if concluded or recognized by one of the states.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:20:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

feds & DOMA

That's why I don't think they're really going to be able to give the full benefits package. Most (retirement, health benefits, etc.) are predicated on a spousal relationship. And I believe they are statutorily that way. It would have to be a violation of DOMA (not that I'm a lawyer).

And is anyone else struck by the irony that Obama is granting benefits by memorandum/exec order but won't stop firing soldiers under DADT the same way? Why is it ok to get around "the law" for this but not for DADT?

It may be the purpose of your life is to serve as a warning to others.

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by: sandushinka @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:33:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

great points all around

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:39:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

this is how

1. The government is not recognizing it as "marriage," which is what it is prohibited from doing. And as far as I understand it still would not entitle federal workers to anything that they get specifically due to their employment (i.e. no Social Security spousal benefits, etc.).

2. Washington Post seems to say that this will be extended to all "unmarried partners", a subset of whom would be people of the same sex:
"President Obama will announce tomorrow that he is extending federal benefits to include unmarried domestic partners of federal workers, including same-sex partners, White House officials said tonight."

If anyone can clarify, which is it?

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by: avocado @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:32:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

that means

that unmarried hetero partners will also get the benefits.

A company I used to work for did the same thing.  When they started offering domestic partner benefits, they offered them to straight couples too so they wouldn't "bitch" about it even though they had the right to get married to get the benefits.

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by: timNC @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:57:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

precisely

that's why I was asking, AP story seem to say that it is specifically for the same-sex partners of federal employees. Either way it's miniscule (not small, miniscule) potatoes.

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by: avocado @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:08:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

correction

I meant to say that it will not entitle anyone to anything that is given to everyone else, only some specific federal employee benefits, and pretty much as long as they don't contradict DOMA.

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by: avocado @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:28:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Clearly, I need to get a federal job.

That will solve EVERYTHING.

Not.

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by: aggieric @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:17:18 PM CDT

now that would be a great stimulous package,

federal jobs for every lgbt!

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:21:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

this is MINOR

They are going to allow SOME benefits to partners.  And, most likely, those benefits will be taxed by the feds as income to the federal employee.

Will the "partners" get to file a joint fed tax return?  NOPE

Will they get access to their partners Soc Security Benefits?  NOPE

They are going to offer a FEW benefits to same-sex partners and make them pay taxes on them and then expect us to bow down and say thanks.

The head of NY States Equality group has already come out to pooh, pooh this.  Calling is very 1999 since the vast majority of conservative wall street type corporations have been offering these benefits since 1999.

They also explain that this is something the Obama admin has been planning to do all along and they ar just trotting it out now to try to shut us up.

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by: timNC @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:27:54 PM CDT

"the only benefit they have identified is relocation costs for a partner"

wow.  if he goes through with this, it is really more of an insult than doing nothing.  no wonder he's having a closed press announcement.  i'd be chickenshit too if i had to own up to doing something so demeaning and obviously last-minute.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:30:00 PM CDT

So, we'll help you move, but if you break your leg

on the road, you're on your own?

Thanks, loads.

Remember what FDR said, "I agree with you, I want to do it, now make me do it." Have you written/called a congress-critter today? 8.25, 6.21

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by: Jacques @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:43:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

whatever!

Big whoop!!! This isnt an executive order and the so called benefits will expire when Obama leaves office.

Were supposed to be thrilled about this?

Support the UAFA

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by: LoveMoby @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:36:09 PM CDT

Not quite enough

Let's call the White House, jam the phone lines

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by: pacoabq @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:39:36 PM CDT

You can't email JARED

Unless you are in his district.

NOT. NOT DO NOT GO TO THAT DINNER JARED! 

It's the Hammer of JUSTICE,
It's the Bell of FREEDOM,
It's the Song about LOVE between,
my Brothers and my Sisters
...All over this Land.

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by: Orion45 @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:43:05 PM CDT

I think Jared is wired though?

Facebook? Twitter? and all that good stuff.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:50:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Polis is on Connexion.org

# Duty, duty -- honor is, is --
Honor, Creideiki -- alertly
# Shared, is -- Honor #

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by: MileHighDawg @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:05:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

gay community < important than one large fundraiser

that's the message I'm getting from this action.

He's done shit for us all administration long -- then literally shits on us with the DoJ decision. We refuse to sit down and take it, notably by boycotting and promising to protest a moderately important fundraiser for the party - and THAT actually moves this administration. A few million bucks, tops, was worth more to Obama's admin than our fucking civil rights. This is BULL SHIT - and this does nothing to address the rights of 98%+ of our community. If he wants us to stop being vehemently angry, then he better fucking sign an executive order to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell tomorrow, too - so federal employment benefits can be enjoyed by all federal employees, not just the ones who aren't legally forced into the closet. Maybe that would appease the community... for now.  

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by: RyansTake @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:44:09 PM CDT

Super Duper Effective!!!

This is it! This is what we've been waiting for! Legistlative action that covers benefits for everyone in the LGBT community, including the people in the uniform!

NOT!

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by: LostMetroid88 @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:44:35 PM CDT

It's a start.

We should always be happy when progress is made. However, if Obama thinks this will get us off his back, he will be horribly disappointed.

I am the lizard queen!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:45:14 PM CDT

no

you should never be happy when a bone is thrown. That's not "positive" that's "offensive."

This is probably it for gay rights this year. Maybe, if we're "lucky," we'll get a hate crimes bill.... but that's already being delayed (just as it was announced it would come this week) until August, at best. Obama and the national democrats decided to throw us this bone instead of the hate crimes... which in and of itself would not have been anywhere enough to appease us after comparing our relationships to incest.  

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by: RyansTake @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:51:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let's see...

A bone. Absolutely nothing. mimics a scale with hands Either way, as I already pointed out, this does not mean we let up.

I am the lizard queen!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:55:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Clap. Clap. Clap.

Here's your reward, Mr. President:

Marriage equality.  Now with 50% more cake.

equalitycake.blogspot.com

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by: Maureen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:45:40 PM CDT

I was really expecting jewelry...

after the screwing we've been taking.  

This is a handful of wilted flowers swiped off the table of the neighborhood diner when the waitress wasn't looking.  "Yo babe, I got ya something.  Now will you stop being so pissy?"

Absolutely pathetic.   It's insult to injury.

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by: Smartypants @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:46:58 PM CDT

Um, WHAT!??!?!??

Let me see if I got this straight:

After allowing* the DOJ to file a brief vigorously defending DOMA, a law that creates a gay exception to Full Faith and Credit, instead of just moving to dismiss on technical grounds--President Fierce is going to allow some of his executive branch employees to out themselves at work in exchange for some taxable stuff to be named later.

Is it too late for me to change career paths and become a Foreign Service staffer? Because as long as the calendar still reads 1994, that's a deal I can't get from any company big enough to send me and my family overseas.

Wait, what's that? My nap was a long one and it's 2009? Private employers have been doing more than this for a decade?

Wow. The Rip van Winkle administration strikes again.

*Don't tell me he didn't know or care what was in the brief. As Kevin implied earlier, the price of being the HNIC is that you are responsible for the mistakes made under your command.

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:49:36 PM CDT

That's "Rahm Van Winkle"

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:52:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oohh, good one.

I wanna party like it's 1999 with you, to celebrate this milestone:

We have now spent enough to be pandered to.

Not near enough to get the promises kept or even postponed rather than utterly reversed, but we've met the Pander Test.

Whee! I know I'm feeling something like a citizen...but not quite.

(I think it was Gonzo who was described as 'Something like a turkey, but not quite' in the Muppet Movie. You get the idea, and I'm knocking off the drinking for the evening.)

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:59:00 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I wish I could give this

ten perfect ratings. You deserve it.  

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by: RyansTake @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:56:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

update on AmericaBlog

HEALTH BENEFITS will NOT be extended.  So far the only benefit they have come up with is moving expenses.

Now, wouldn't employees already have been entitled to moving expenses?  Did they used to come to your house and decide which items were yours and they would move and which items were your partner's and they wouldn't move?

Will they now pay to move both sets of towels that have the HIS monogram on them?

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by: timNC @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:54:45 PM CDT

No, what they used to do

was refuse to do anything for same-sex dependents.

So, one example, in the event of dependents being evac'ed or vaccinated, your boyfriend/girlfriend won't be included.

If it's not obvious, London and Paris are the assignments you work your way up to, stopping in Phnom Penh and Bogota on the way.

During the trip up the State Dept. corporate ladder, you can only hope that cholera epidemic isn't serious, because your dependents are treated like any other US citizen crazy enough to be a tourist in a volatile location.

Giving foreign service workers a practical option to take their families along will make a huge impact on the lifestyles of a few families now, and the recruiting options that State can exercise for the future.

This is actually not even an outreach to the LGBT community, as much as an attempt to begin to raise standards in our foreign policy apparatus through a more diverse hiring pool.

So that's great for things like whether we can hope to influence the government of Mexico in 20 years. Viva la Secretaria del Estado!

...but as to the common queer, not so much.

But wait, there's more!

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by: PhoenixRising @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:09:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

this is supposed to apply

to ALL federal employees, not just the state dept.  And, I'm not sure what "moving expenses" has to do with vacinations and being evacuated.  Hillary announced a plan to take of of the state dept issues you are talking about weeks ago.  I don't think the Obama announcement tomorrow has anythign to do with that.

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by: timNC @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:30:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Let Them Eat Cake

This action by Obama, especially as a memorandum and not an executive order, is but a crumb. It's like Obama saying from his White House mansion to the peasants outside, "Let them eat cake."
Pitiful.

Boycott and protest the DNC-LGBT Fundraiser on June 25th in Washington DC.

Close the GayTM. Only give to candidates who have actually done something other than make promises - most are just pandering for our cash.

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by: JohnVisser @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 21:58:42 PM CDT

Wow

Ditto to all the above. Relocation benefits? That same sex couples will have to pay taxes on anyway? Did they just intentionally drop some more doody on us? Is this what they think will bring us and our dollars back to the fold?

Sorry for all the questions. I'm just so flabbergasted at this insulting, pathetic response.

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by: guspup @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:09:29 PM CDT

It's a pure s**t sandwich

...and now they want us to tell them how delicious it is.

In fact, they will insist on it, and then complain how ungrateful we are being.

If a more inept and incompetent way of dealing with the GLBT community can be conceived, I don't know what it is.  It's like they're deliberately trying to enrage us.

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by: Technowitch @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:47:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

i'm tempted to picket my local federal building tomorrow,

but i suppose it's prudent to wait to first see what obama actually does.

does obama realize that he's shaming his daughters?  not to mention pissing on the head of his friend deval partick and his gay daughter?  shame.  shame.  shame.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:12:55 PM CDT

now

Deval Patrick is a fierce advocate. Barack Obama should be taking freaking notes.

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by: RyansTake @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:19:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

got that right.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:23:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

While his approval ratings aren't 70%

Obama could take some lessons from David Paterson: A Christian supporter of marriage equality.

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:25:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obama's down to 55%

It appears as though pissing on gays, public option advocates http://oxdown.firedoglake.com/... & those who think war criminals should be prosecuted, even if they're American, and dolling out the dough for wealthy private corporations ISN'T working out for him, after all.

While he's so obsessed trying to appeal to the American Taliban and corporatists, he may want to think for a second or two about the base he's quickly losing. Soon, even the apologists will catch up, after they run out of excuses.  

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by: RyansTake @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:55:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does obama even realize how dumb this is?

Ever since Friday one talking head or another or an administration insider or an Obama know it all has attempted to defend Obama by saying that his position on DOMA isn't reflected in the brief.  

Are we supposed to believe that he wasn't apprised of the full horror of that brief?  

Let's pretend for a moment that we are gullible enough to buy that line of crap...are we stupid enough to think that Obama doesn't know he is offering to help pay relocation fees for faggots that work for the Fed Govt?

We think he overlooked the incest in the DOMA brief and that when he signs the order tomorrow (which expires upon the end of his service as Prez) we think he is giving gays insurance and retirement benefits?

NO...dude...we aren't stupid.  Are you?

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by: Patrick @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:20:30 PM CDT

You know

"This brief from my Justice Department was insulting and discriminatory to gay and lesbian Americans. This happened under my Administration and I am accountable. While I do believe that this Administration is bound to uphold the law, even ones that are divisive and discriminatory like the Defense of Marriage Act, I have ordered that this brief be withdrawn."

Or something like that. Is that to much as opposed to these every so little kibbles and bits, which are more insulting than anything?

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by: kevinchi @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:31:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Insult to injury

First of all, Kudos to Chuck Todd, Rachel Maddow, and The Advocate for responding so quickly with the fact-checking!

Secondly, relocation benefits and that's it?  This should anger our community even more.  It's like rubbing salt in a wound.

Thirdly, Sec. Clinton has provided full benefits to State department employees.  Why would it take an act of Congress for the other departments and offices?

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by: shaz4005 @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:21:56 PM CDT

Hate Crime legislation...yesterday???

Wasn't that news yesterday??

Isn't that Hate Crimes bill coming????

I guess not:

http://www.americablog.com/200...

And guess what? After the DOMA brief controversy exploded, they suddenly announced plans to do hate crimes in the Senate this week. And now, poof, the bill is dead again until at least August. And remember folks, this is the easy one - it already passed the House and Senate, and survived a Senate filibuster, in the last Congress.

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by: Patrick @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:27:23 PM CDT

OMG

Pam, are you reading this? You need to do an entry on this Americablog article.

I am so sick of this sh*t.  Everyone needs to keep the pressure on.  Keep on calling out these congressional ""allies"" on their B.S., even if you've already contacted them.

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by: shaz4005 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 00:09:31 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Alot of times

This is how various states and cities start--extend the benefits of city and state employees. It's small, but it is a good step in the right direction.

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by: Donica @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:34:43 PM CDT

BFD

He obviously knew what was in the DOJ brief, as no comment or apology has been made. Does the President actually think that we are so pathetic as to accept this action as repentance for the vile statements made in the brief?  Mr. President, perhaps it's time to consider another strategy other than the one to run to your group of pastors when a decision has to be made.  

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by: exfundie @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:47:48 PM CDT

Peanuts! Bubkes!

Hell, Clinton's State Department has given more to its same-sex employees.  

This is pathetic, and exactly how is it not in defiance of DOMA?  I read what Lurleen posted above it it seems directly contradictory of Clause 2.  

"In order to maintain an untenable position, you have to be actively ignorant."  The Colbert Report

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by: Lev Raphael @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:48:49 PM CDT

Can't the media get even the basic facts right?

What the hell is wrong with the main stream media? Are the people working there so stupid they don't have the smallest modicum of intelligence to research something as basic as this before they just regurgitate the administration's claim?

Don't they know that DOMA prohibits the federal government from providing benefits to same-sex couples? And Obama just filed a brief defending DOMA in the most vile way possible. So it all comes full circle. The parts can't be separated from the whole.

So what Obama is offering is nothing. Absolutely nothing. And that nothing is meaningless to gays in the military, which represent the vast majority of federal employees. And Obama refuses to issue a stop-loss order banning DADT discharges. So again it all comes full circle.

As a gay American, I've been had by Obama and the Democrats. None of them have an ounce of leadership between the lot of them. This two-party system must change so we have something to choose from besides Republicans and Democrats.

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by: rickwla @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:49:12 PM CDT

THANKS FOR THE SCRAPS MR FIERCE ADVOCATE

This is bs--he is throwing us scraps to try to put out the fire he caused.

We deserve an apology and a repeal of DOMA and DADT as he PROMISED

Until we keep pushing hard and witholding money, nothing will get done with this creep.

We were all duped.

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by: Popeye @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 22:57:48 PM CDT

I'm a FIERCE Obama donor....got change for a nickle?

"race, taste. and History finally overcome....and you ain't there"
by Tony Kushner

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by: peteyPornpig @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:08:20 PM CDT

yeah, and

give me that nickel now, i'll get your change to you, um, in 2012.  trust me.

Click HERE and sign up: Campaign For Military Partners.

Lurleen on Twitter.

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by: Lurleen @ Tue Jun 16, 2009 at 23:45:40 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What's really going on?

So on the day that President Obama is going to announce his chicken bone attempt to placate us from the violation of his backstabbing Justice department. The DOJ is on the hill testifying about its accomplishments so far??  Geez!

Always thinking about it...

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by: kudo451 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 09:35:25 AM CDT