Crumby Memo: The Video

The GayTM is now closed to the Democratic Party

All of my local dems, elected dem officials, Senator (since Al isn't one yet), and Reps have been informed that no more of my $$$ is going to see into their coffers.

They can send a message to the DNC and Obama for me.

No mo money.  Period.

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by: bkmn @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:30:34 PM CDT

History WAS made....

... it wasn't what was on that piece of paper. No one has been more critical of the President than I, and I am not so much now defending the anemia of this action as I am its context.

Standing next to him, the man he handed the pen, was 84-yr. old Frank Kameny. I knew Frank years ago, worked with him in the Gertrude Stein Democratic Club, cooked for him in the home I shared with Leonard Matlovich. And to see this gay pioneer, this icon finally standing next a President of the United States...even after his personal papers and protest signs from picketing the White House 44 years ago have been embraced by the Library of Congres...to witness such a microscopic step, had me in tears.

Kameny could have been our Martin Luther King but for various reasons was benched by the Professional Gays years ago. Even at 84 and physically feeble, he is capable of summoning a stentorian voice to make the rafters ring with righteous indignation, an encylopedic knowledge of gay history and law, and take no prisoners attitude in his demand for justice. That he chose to be polite today, at least on camera, takes nothing away from the greatness and majesty of the moment that HE brought not the President...who didn't even think to introduce him.

Frank earned this brief moment in the sun more than any gay person living, and I applaud HIM, while encouraging everyone else, even after the significance of the President finally saying on camera that he wants DOMA repealed [whether he means it or not], to turn up the fire against the President's feet, and deny the DNC another dime until real change happens.

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by: Michael Bedwell @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:02:05 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I love Frank Kameny too

But I was appalled to see him exploited by the Administration. I can't wait to protest at that offensive fundraiser next week! I hope Frank is there. I'd love to meet him.

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by: uh_huhh @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:05:27 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Vintage Frank Kameny...champagne

At Defense Department civilian security clearance hearing FORTY YEARS AGO. If only our "leaders" today spoke like this.

"I, personally, placed my life in jeopardy, in frontline combat, under enemy fire, for this country. [My client] served honorably in the Armed Services of this country. We did not do so in order that our government - or any agent or officer of it - might disparage our people, by which we mean our fellow American homosexuals, or our way of life - to our faces, or behind our backs. We are fully as entitled to our dignity, and to the respect of our government as the homosexual citizens that we are, as are all other American citizens.  . . . In the past, we have remained silent when [antigay] remarks were made. We do not intend to continue so. If any such remarks are made, the proceedings will be halted on the spot and will not continue until the remarks have been retracted and apologized for. You and your colleagues elsewhere in this Department have been placed on notice."

"I will define myself to my government. I will not allow my government to define me to me."

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by: Michael Bedwell @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:37:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Michael, you are one ornery old queen

But we need to have you old ornery queens and dykes and transgenders around.

Those like you have survived so much. If anyone had told you back in the 50's and 60's that gay people would have been even having a public forum about marriage equality, equal protection under the law, blah, blah, blah, would you have believed them?

Thing is, we don't even know half the time who's shoulders we really stand on, though we have some outstanding gay historians now. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

God Save Ornery Old Queens. :)

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by: kevinchi @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:16:51 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Muchos muchos, Kev!

Thank you for the kind comments.

No, when I first wrote about our people in a 1971 college newspaper article, 1. the degree of "virtual equality" we have now was something few imagined [and "marriage," as I'm sure you've read, was simply not something that any significant number of gays talked about]; and 2., in retrospect I, for one, vastly underestimated how long it would take us to achieve what compared to what we had then is so much but compared to what we should have is so little.

Thanks for your many contributions here and in other Net neighborhoods we mutually tread [and patience with my "rhetorical flourishes" :- ) ]. The quote I posted in the shout out thread to Pam describes me just as well:

"I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood." - Audre Lorde

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by: Michael Bedwell @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:30:52 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Frank Kameny

There was a great article in the Advocate on this:

I told him I wondered how he felt about the possibility that John Berry might be heading up OPM.

"I remember seeing his name somewhere," Kameny said of the news, "but I don't know terribly much about him."

I said I wasn't so much interested in his estimation of Berry as I was in the fact that a gay man might be heading the organization.

Silence weighted the other end of the line as I realized Mr. Kameny hadn't fully grasped the news.

"Oh, oh my..." he said as it settled in. "For the first time in this whole conversation, this is really registering on me. Oh, my...now I am impressed!" he said with a hint of glee in his voice. "Macy must be turning over in his grave," he added, referencing John W. Macy Jr., his archrival who chaired the commission in the '60s.

Full article: http://advocate.com/exclusive_...

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by: cbear @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:07:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's wonderful...

That Frank Kameny was there. It's just sad that Obama couldn't even introduce him, and it's sad that Frank was there just to see a piece of paper be signed. Hopefully, he won't have to wait too much longer to see real progress made.

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:09:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank You

Mr. Kameny is not only an important person in our history, he is important in our lives.

His quiet dignity today speaks volumes, and I applaud him for it.  This is the kind of recognition that matters, but which will be smothered by the Professional Gays who orchestrated this disaster.

I have been struck by another event missing from the current debate.  Watching the hundreds of thousands of silent Iranians seeking to reclaim their lives and their country, I remembered the immediate change the Obama Administration brought by joining those nations who oppose criminalization of gayness at the UN.  How many Iranians have been executed under this regime for "gayness?"  (And how many Iraqi have the Americans people through our government killed for the same offense?)

What happened?  We all thought Obama was on course then.

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by: othniel @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:36:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The State Department made those steps

and our current Secretary of State doesn't always seem to check back in with the boss.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:03:02 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

We cannot give leadership back to the "professional Gays"

the conservatives who turned a rights movement into a lobbying firm more intoxicated with networking that it was committed to obtaining rights.

Right now, each and every one of us, angry, disappointed, and thirsty for citizenship, real citizenship, is a leader. Keep it so.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

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by: MauraHennessey @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:35:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thank you so much for sharing

Michael, there is so much that the younger generation doesn't know. I really wish you would do a diary series of your history in this movement. As a 31-year-old veteran, I know far too little about my own history as a dyke sailor. ;) Certainly we would all benefit from hearing about people like Leonard and Frank. Thank you for sharing this bit of history today. To echo Kevinchi's words, God Save Ornery Old Queens. :)

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 01:44:21 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

You're very kind....

Thank you, Keori, for your kind words and encouragement [LGBT movement history is one of my passions]. I didn't realize anyone could submit a diary. [I would luv to have included my Eartha memories here when she passed.] My personal contributions to the movement have been so much smaller than so many others, but I have a timely idea for one.

While I still have a great deal to flesh out atwww.leonardmatlovich.com because I'm doing it myself as I don't have the financial resources to pay a professional, there's already a great deal of information there about Leonard's fight against the military ban [Frank was his inspiration], Anita Bryant, AIDS activism and arrests, etc., including several video clips going back to 1975, with more to come.

And in the site's LGBT Veterans Gallery section, you and others might be surprised to learn how many other movement pioneers, in addition to Frank, were vets, including Harvey Milk who was wearing a Navy belt when he was shot.

http://www.leonardmatlovich.co...

I'd luv to include you in the gallery, too, if you'd like to e-mail me a photo [preferably in uniform] and a little service bio.

Thanks again for your kind remarks and all you contribute to PHB.

I wish you love.

Remember your roots, your history, and the forebears' shoulders on which you stand. - Marion Wright Edelman

 

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by: Michael Bedwell @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:18:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Eartha!

please post your Eartha memories!

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by: grover nerdkissed @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:09:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

This shouldn't stop the fundraiser protest

this is a step in the right direction, a step more than mccain would have done, & if small steps like this continue, he will get my vote, but if he wants me canvassing, phone banking, donating fo rhim or any other dems, there needs to be a lot more work.

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by: Jake Gellar-Goad @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:34:30 PM CDT

It's night a step in the right direction

It's a shell game.

He's like a mobster that steals your car and then wants you to be grateful when he sells it back to you.

Obama did nothing that his cabinet secretaries were not already empowered to do on their own before he signed the memo.

Give me a break.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:27:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Satisfied?

Well in a sense. I'm satisfied that I have a full understanding that we have no gay leaders in D.C. and nobody on our side. We have Democratic Congress hacks like Barney Frank, who just happen to be gay. We have Joe Solomayonnaise, who is... what the hell is he anyway? A lobbyist? And we have...

Joe Freaking Lieberman? Why was he there? Did he wander in because he thought BO was signing a declaration of war against Syria? How disappointed little Joe must have been.

But in terms of being satisfied that it's a step toward equality. Uh, no. In fact, what the hell was that anyway? I heard that he signed into law some benefits that gay federal workers already have. True?

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by: Mr. Larry @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:36:23 PM CDT

Lieberman

Lieberman is the sponsor of the senate version of Tammy Baldwin's H.R.2517, the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:47:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Lieberman and Collins

have been "bestest buddies 4 forevah"- that they worked together on this doesn't surprise me one damned BIT.

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by: Louise @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:26:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, true.

Aravosis is reporting that federal agencies already had the power to give these benefits to their employees.  This whole charade was just exactly that--a con game to try and persuade us Obama wants to do the right thing.  Just more of his homophobic bullshit.  I will be SO disappointed if people now decide to lay off the fundraiser next week.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:42:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

NO way...

Canceled my newsletter subscriptions to "yes we can" newsletters and websites. Don't want to hear anymore more from the "No we can't White House", the demo-critters or the cowardly Lion Congress. We deserve equality and there is no excuse for not ANYTHING LESS!  

Always thinking about it...

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by: kudo451 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:42:01 PM CDT

Not sure what to think...but his picture has come off my fridge

I'm not excited at all. Saying he wants to repeal DOMA and then supporting that horrid, hate-filled brief leave me asking the question: Where do you truly stand, Mr. President?

For we really do not know.

On one hand we have the President saying that he supports the repeal of DOMA. We have him saying he wants to end DADT. But on his watch, over 200 service members have been terminated due to sexual orientation. He has issued no moratorium on those firings. They will continue tomorrow. Earlier today, his press secretary alluded to the President supporting the brief from the DOJ. So that takes us all back to the orginal question: Where do you really stand, Mr. President?

Just tell the truth, for crying out loud. It's not that hard.

As Ricky used to say to Lucy: "You got some splainin' to do!!"  

"I like your Christ, but do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ." ~Gandhi
"Upon the integrity, wisdom, and independence of the judiciary depend the sacred rights of free men and women."  

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by: keithan81 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:43:43 PM CDT

The Fringe Fringe Benefits

Is how NPR just referred to the pitiful benefits provided by the memorandum.  The story includes a couple of great quotes from David Mixner that absolutely rip the administration for his actions today and the DOJ brief and the lack of effort to repeal DOMA or DADT.

Then the story closes with Barney Frank apologizing for Obama and saying it's only been a few months -- give him time.  Feh!

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by: Smartypants @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:49:41 PM CDT

Fuck Barney F-g!

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by: uh_huhh @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:02:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Like I said

Dick Armey was correct about Barney. I just didn't know it.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:29:14 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I can't even watch him anymore!

I don't believe Obama anymore. There was no passion in his delivery or body language. This was a massive failure. There was no apology for the statements made in the DOMA brief. There was no clarification for what Press Sec. Gibbs said in response to a question about the brief from Jake Tapper (he stated that the president stands behind the brief).

This was completely unsatisfying and TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. The protest at the fundraiser next week must continue and we must continue to call and write to get some real action.

This was a farce.

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by: rickwla @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:50:04 PM CDT

Pathetic!

Absolutely Fucking Pathetic!

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by: DCArtTart @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:53:08 PM CDT

if i was satisfied, I'd be laying back glowing, lighting 2 cigarettes

THIS wasn't even close

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:53:13 PM CDT

Satisfied? In a word, "No."

(n/t)

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by: Technowitch @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:56:09 PM CDT

The President just couldn't lie anymore

Tonight President Obama revealed his true self.  No more fake promises, only vague mumblings about the repeal of DOMA.  I've never seen a more half-hearted speech from him. Well, at least now we know for sure exactly where we stand.

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by: exfundie @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 18:58:56 PM CDT

Exactly right.

Obama may have his faults, but one thing that he can do exceptionally well is speak to an audience.  When he believes and has conviction in what he is saying, you can tell the passion and sincerity in his voice.  I didn't see anything that resembled that in today's presser.

Shameful.

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by: racaulk @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:05:37 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Absolutely Not!

I won't begin to be satisfied until he looks into a television camera and apologizes for comparing my relationship to incest and pedophilia. Period.

I can't wait to protest the big fancy fundraiser next week!

NO COLLABORATION WITH THE FRENEMY!

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by: uh_huhh @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:00:56 PM CDT

drama queen much?

sheesh

--ish

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by: ish @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:41:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obamaton much?

sheeeesh!

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:55:20 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Obamaton is much to kind a word.

Try dumbfuck.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:45:17 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

or Obamination

You can lead a fool to knowledge, but you can't make him think.  

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by: Dianne @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:11:18 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

HuffPo has this Obama spammer called We-Are-The-Ones

tap dancing as fast as he can, I batted him around a couple times, then just listed 6 other queer forums/blogs hetero readers can find REAL LGBT opinions not what some Obama hack is telling them what LGBTs think.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:47:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Am I satisfied? Hell no!

A memorandum (that will expire upon Obama leaving office) to officially offer a handful of benefits to the same sex partners of Federal employees?  Considering the small percentage of Americans that work for the Federal government, and the small percentage of Federal employees that are gay, and the even smaller percentage of gay Federal employees that are partnered...well...this is tantamount to doing nothing.

This seems like signing up to run a marathon, running only a couple of city blocks, and then giving yourself a self-congratulatory pat on the back for the great job that you did.  This is a far cry from being anything close to resembling fair treatment.

I know that was a largely rhetorical and/or sarcastic question, Lurleen, but still...

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by: racaulk @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:00:59 PM CDT

The memorandum won't expire

It can be overruled by the next administration, but they do carry over.

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by: Baconcat @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:26:50 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh, gotcha!

Thanks for the clarification.  :-)

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by: racaulk @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:43:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Okay, but from what I think I've read online in the way of analysis,

aren't the "benefits" he's extending actually benefits that were already available to federal employees?  

If so, color me infuriated!

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by: oddjob @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:41:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

There was no real directive to do so, it was voluntary

That's why Secretary of State Clinton had to act of her own accord to do so, although that was mainly to wash the blood of DOMA off her hands.

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by: Baconcat @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:57:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Does Obama really think...

This magically makes us want to open our wallets to him? FAIL!

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:02:57 PM CDT

So again...

I must keep saying this.

Unless and until Obama & the DNC leaders stop paying politics with our very lives, I will ONLY be giving to pro-equality Democrats and pro-equality campaigns (like WA Ref 71 & ME marriage equality).

Want to save marriage equality in Maine? Ask me how! ;-)

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by: atdnext @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:04:58 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

An alternative home for your donations

Give to your local LGBT orgs especially those that help our youth.  Most of them are really hurting for operating expense money.  They can't afford fancy fund raising dinners or their own lobbyists, or even "donation gifts",  but they can and do provide important services to kids that have seen far too much hatred just for being themselves.  If you had a perfect childhood or just don't like kids and young adults, then give to your local adult LGBT organizations or local political group.  Do some good with your money, don't just give it to a national politician and especially one associated with the two parties or the professional lobby groups.

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by: sarasnavel @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 01:56:43 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Again...

Too little, too late. I'm sticking to my guns: before I lend any more emotional or monetary support to Obama or the Democratic party, I need to see this:

1) ASAP: A clear and public plan for handling LGBT issues. The following items MUST be part of that plan.

2) Immediate action on DADT - Executive Order stopping the enforcement and getting Military Enhancement Readiness Act out of committee in the House and onto the floor. Finding a sponsor for MERA in the Senate and getting it in process.

3) Draft repeal legislation for DOMA by the end of year, and introduction into both the House and Senate in the first quarter of next year. This repeal must also grant LGBT citizens access to all Federal rights and responsibilities as guaranteed to married couples. If a State allows marriage or domestic partnerships, then these Federal rights must apply.

4) All other LGBT topics not explicitly called out should also be covered in the plan outlined in #1 (ENDA, UAFA, expanding civil rights legislation to cover LGBT, etc).

Transparency MUST also be applied to the commitments he's made to the LGBT community, not backroom politics and whispered promises.

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by: bazaarsoft @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:03:38 PM CDT

and it's not just LGBT issues he's fudging

Check out Glenn Greenwald's ongoing complaints about the Obama DOJ and the suppression of atrocity photos/FOIA, the continued military commission trials, the continuing detentions w/o trial. This President doesn't torture, which is nice of him (snark) but no word as to whether the renditions continue.

There's also his appointing Tim Geithner at Treasury and managing the banking crisis, which is sort of like having Joe Lieberman as Secretary of State. There's also the refusal to consider single-payer and the ominous waffling about even a national public health-care option.

He's great at end runs but seems to forget the whole purpose of the game is to gain yardage, not give it up.

LGBT issues aren't the only thing on my menu, so manybe I'm even more leery of this Administration. (Yes, yes, it's still better than the ticket of Sen. McKrakatoa and Gov. Parrot. Not saying much).

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by: coram nobis @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:30:10 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Jusr offhand

I can't think of even one of his campaign promises he has kept.

I've been referring to Obama in my postings as Bush-Lite.  That now seems sadly inadequate.  Bush Redux is more like it.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:48:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I've been referring to Obama in my postings as Bush-Lite.

The Dark Wraith has long been referring to him as (to the effect of) "Bush, without the incompetence".

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by: oddjob @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:44:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Stem Cells

He promised to repeal the ban on federal funding for stem cells, and he kept that promise.

That's all I can really think of. Which granted was a very important move for everyone, but that's the only one I can think of.

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by: ojrocks @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 00:40:45 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, sorta he did...

n Wednesday, President Obama signed a law that bans federal funding of any research that leads to the destruction of human embryos just two days after lifting Bush-era restraints on it.

President Obama may have abolished contentious Bush-era restraints on federal funding of stem cell research on Monday, but a legislative obstacle still remains for scientists seeking more money.

A spending bill that Obama signed on Wednesday explicitly bans federal funding of any "research in which a human embryo or embryos are destroyed, discarded, or knowingly subjected to risk of injury or death," language that pertains to creation of new stem cell lines.

This provision, known as the Dickey-Wicker amendment, was included in the 465-page omnibus spending bill that will fund government agencies through September. The amendment is a measure Congress has included in spending bills in every fiscal year since 1996.

Bush's executive policy additionally had limited researchers receiving federal aid to just 21 stem cell lines created before August 2001. Obama's reversal allows them to use hundreds of other stem cell lines already in existence.

But the Dickey-Wicker provision still prevents federally backed researches from creating their own stem cell lines, blocking their access to hundreds of new embryonic stem cell lines, usually from embryos left over from fertility treatments that would otherwise be discarded. Scientists tout such promising, long-term research in hopes of creating better treatments, possibly even cures, for conditions ranging from diabetes to paralysis.

His hands are tied by Congress, you see. He's forced to sign these bills.

There is no situation so complex it can't get even worse

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by: ZoeB @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:02:04 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Are the Blenders satisfied??

Pam, my darling, you are excellent AS ALWAYS.  Cut direct to the really tough question:  Are we satisfied?

Well...
I disagree with those who are accusing Obama of insincerity.  I am glad I could watch the video, and I can make my own judgment rather than listen to that of someone else.

In this video, our President doesn't impress me as false; he impresses me as fatigued and beleaguered.  I expect that behind the walls of the White House, he has had many long hours over the crisis in Iran, of which he can say nothing because it would play into the hands of hardliners there.  But the GLBTQs have their needs, too, and we voted for him and the Iranians did not; so he must keep his energy going.  And it looks a little hard for him, today.

AS FOR US, was I glad to hear that he remains committed to repealing DOMA?  Yes.  I was glad to hear it from his own mouth, not that of some stupid, evasive, lesser functionary.  Am I satisfied?  Well...no.  If you are "against it", then why are you going to court "for it", in the most vile, rabid terms?

I don't feel "satisfaction"--I think "cognitive dissonance" would be a better word for what I feel!

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by: Torham @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:04:57 PM CDT

Hey Torham

You better keep your phone number and address secret. You are unbelievably gullible and I would hate for you to buy a bridge in Brooklyn.

Obama is a pathological liar. You cannot believe anything he says, no matter how sincere he appears to be.

Obama is fatigued and beleaguered because he stands for nothing except kissing Rick Warren's butt.

Obama is fatigued because he refuses to stand up like a man, a president, and the leader of the free-world and actually lead.

He's going to lose on LGBT rights, on health-care, and many other critical issues, and he's going to be a one-term, failed and disgraced president who lost the best opportunity since Franklin Roosevelt to move our country forward.

I have nothing but outrage and contempt for the bastard and I am ready for him to be gone.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:20:30 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Palin in 2012!

REAL real change!

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by: Baconcat @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:59:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

In all the wrong ways.

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by: oddjob @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:04:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Then who?

Slacktivism hasn't produced a viable candidate yet, and nobody has any ideas as to who would have been better (hint: they all sucked to similar degrees).

That's it, I'm voting for the robot and/or advanced presidential computer next election. Don't blame me, I voted for Presibot MMXII.

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by: Baconcat @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:10:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well, Dick Cheney supports same-sex marriage

If he runs, I'll vote for him.

The Democrats and Obama's performance on equality since January is so dismal, that I am turning into a one issue voter.

You guys are getting beaten up for being greedy and selfish for demanding your rights when we are faced with many other problems. Well, if the "many other problems people" can't support you at the same time, than I see no reason to support resolution of the "many other problems".

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Fri Jun 19, 2009 at 17:22:53 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Correction

While this is indeed "Pam Quality", this is the work of the incomparable Lurleen...

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by: Louise @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:29:19 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

My bad!

It is Lurleen,  and you ARE quality!

:-)

---

by: Torham @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 00:32:24 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Presicoward Bigot Odoma

Bigot Odoma is IGNORANT of the law.  He just stated that DOMA prevents him from giving medical benefits to domestic partners.  It DOES NO SUCH THING.  It ONLY prevents the Fed Govt from recognizing MARRIAGES of gay people and states from having to honor other state's MARRIAGES.

Good luck getting ANYTHING done with this IGNORANT BIGOT in office.

---

by: Storm @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:12:40 PM CDT

Lying bastard

Let me see if I understand this:

Obama signed a memo asking his cabinet secretaries to allow the benefits they had the discretion to allow.

Excuse me? Why would ANY DEMOCRATIC cabinet secretary not have already implemented everything within his or her discretion?

Hillary Clinton announced in January that she would be implementing everything within her discretion.

If you remember, the OAK Society* attacked Hillary for doing that, saying it wasn't enough, it didn't mean anything, and she was trying to undermine Obama by grandstanding.

*Obama Ass-Kissing Society

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:12:50 PM CDT

Am I mistaken...

Or isn't this really what Hilary has been pushing for since her first week as SoS???  (only a very watered down version)

...... Next time someone gives you a hard time for being LGBT... just ask them if they are unenlightened...or closeted

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by: lisabrealty @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:55:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Office of Personnel Management Regulations

The OPM regulations follow the letter of the DOMA law in their definitions of "spouse" (1 male 1 female married to one another) so no Cabinet can overrule that.  OPM is the governmental institution that decides who gets what benenfits (life insurance, health insurance, long term care insurance, retirement benefits, etc) for federal employees, not Cabinet members.  The only reason Hillary was able to do what she did was because the Foreign Service is not under Title V of the Code of Federal Regulations which is what most of the "civilian" federal personnel fall under.

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.-- Thomas Jefferson

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by: Mykelb @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:11:22 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Excellent clarification of the distinction.

---

by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 15:04:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Family Equality Council

Jennifer Chrisler, Executive Director of the Family Equality Council sent me an email today stating:

"Just now at the White House, President Obama took a step in the right direction towards equality. With a Presidential Memorandum, he extended certain domestic partner benefits to federal employees. The Federal Government is the largest employer in the United States."

My reply to the email:

"Dear Ms. Chrisler,

The Obama Administration just threw us a bone that can be chewed up by the next administration.  We get nowhere with Executive Orders.  We need repeal of DOMA and DADT and the enactment of a trans-inclusive ENDA, and we need enactment of a Gay 1964 Civil Rights Act to ensure that the majority no longer infringes on our rights.  

I am joining with the progressives in withholding all donations, time, and work for the Democratic party until the above Acts are repealed and enacted.  I will not give to any entity who will in turn give money to the Democratic party or its candidates.

The Justice Department just shit on us and you are bragging about this Executive Order as if they have done something special.  They are burying us."
 

History, I believe, furnishes no example of a priest-ridden people maintaining a free civil government.-- Thomas Jefferson

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by: Mykelb @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:33:06 PM CDT

Show some appreciation for the President risking political capital..

It was a bold and daring move to agree to cover the cost of a U-Haul for the domestic partners of federal empoyees to relocate.

This speech and policy should be enshrined into LGBT history, the moment that we acheived "Rental Truck Equality"  

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

---

by: MauraHennessey @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:09:50 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

At this point

I'd like for Tammy Baldwin to profoundly shut up.

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by: deezero @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:37:59 PM CDT

Hear, hear!

As one of her constituents, I'd just like her STFU and then go away. She's racing neck to neck with Barney Frank for the title of Most Impotent Rep.

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by: JimWatson @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 07:48:48 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I had suspended judgement, and given Obama the benefit of the doubt

THAT honeymoon is OVER.
Everything in my annual clock says it's time for PRIDE, and I'd joyfully celebrate it for over 30 years in MN, but down in Louisiana they hold PRIDE around Southern Decadence in September.(which I haven't attended in the 6 yrs I've been here, NOLA and big drunken crowds has ZERO appeal for me)
So any view I have of normal PRIDE and LGBT reaction to Obama will be online or on the National News.....so unsatisfying.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:40:01 PM CDT

What blog is this?

Hey maybe Pam's house blend can share space on the Free Republic server now.


--ish

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by: ish @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:46:30 PM CDT

You think Free Republic is arguiing for LGBT equality?

Go boil your head.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:53:07 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Return to the "Yes we can" blog, then.

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by: meileen @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:47:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You would fit right in

at DemocraticUnderground.  They can't stand gay people there, either.  Head over there and you can get a complementary set of pompoms while you tell GLBT Americans to STFU to your heart's content.  Don't worry, if any of the GLBTers call you on your trolling and flaming, they'll get posts deleted, eventually warnings with disingenuous messages, and finally get banned.  It's been open season on the GLBT and progressive allies since the McClurkin Fiasco.  

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

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by: MileHighDawg @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:40:52 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

+1

I'm so glad I'm finally relieved of my need to visit that shithole.  DU is now simply FR touched up with a can of blue spray paint.  In just five short months, DUers (a whole lot of them, at least) have become what they despised about freepers for so many years - blind devotion to the President.

Want to mention Obama's lack of leadership on gay civil rights?  Then be prepared to hear about all kinds of ponies, poutrage, and pet issues, all designed to stifle any criticism of our President, no matter how justified.  Now with all kinds of picture threads showing us how dreamy Obama is.

Gag me.

It's good to see you again, MHD.  :-)

---

by: racaulk @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:20:24 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm not remotely satisfied,

but I am encouraged. He seems afraid of what we can do to him.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 19:48:13 PM CDT

You may be right, you may be wrong. The only way

to test your theorem is for us to act.

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 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:48:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm proud to announce my support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, crucial legislation that will guarantee these rights for all federal employees.

"Handsome is as handsome does."  

I will be watching.

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by: oddjob @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:19:06 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

President's less than tepid "memorandum" of today

We're screwed. I will not contribute to Obama ever again.

Sharron

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by: sdemarest1 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:15:50 PM CDT

46 years and 5 days ago...

...46 years and 5 days ago, President Kennedy, after betraying the black community over and over again (even wiretapping MLK and allowing the FBI to egg on James Earl Ray), was finally cornered and gave a speech in which he stated, in his capacity as president, that he would bring change. After several fatiguing nights, amidst growing crisis throughout the world and at home, he finally finished and put his seal on a bill he was given by members of Congress and delivered it back to them, walking it past committees and taking whole liability onto himself, seeking to get a start on ending the federal conversation of rights for all americans based on race.

It ended up being signed by LBJ several months later, and was known as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

If you aren't yelling at every single Senator within earshot, you're throwing away a chance to pin Obama against history, just as Kennedy was pinned against Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. Tell them: draft such a simple bill now and deliver it to Obama AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Draft as many as needed. Multiple versions, many copies...

Make him answer for his betrayals against those who pounded pavement, wallets and voted for him. Even if it's out of fear, a genuinely full plate or inexperience, it's still a betrayal. And if it's truly malicious, then he's risking his own legacy when more progressive times come, risking being known as "that bigot" with a shake of the head.

---

by: Baconcat @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:37:42 PM CDT

Oh My God!

Barney Frank's statement was weak and disappointing to begin with.  

Now he's saying he was misquoted and HE SUPPORTS WHAT THE OBAMA DOJ DID.

Simply unbelievable.  

http://www.house.gov/frank/pre...

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by: deezero @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:45:39 PM CDT

Unbelievable

---

by: exfundie @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:57:55 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I saw that at AmericaBlog too

unbelievable is the word....a lawyer as smart as Barney claiming he commented without reading the brief...that insults our intelligence too

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

---

by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:58:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Incest Comparison

It really pisses me off that the revisionists among our alleged allies are pushing this meme that the Obama DoJ brief did not compare same-sex marriage to incest or child marriage. They claim that the brief just referenced two cases where states were allowed to reject marriages legal elsewhere.

Here's the problem - the real comparison is not these two cases, it is Loving v. Virginia, where the Supreme Court clearly ruled that no state could use arbitrary characteristics of an individual to determine marriage rights. In both the incest and child marriage cases, there is a legitimate government interest in not recognizing the marriage - more than an argument based on "tradition" - and that is decidedly not the case with same-gender marriage.

So, basically, the DoJ is arguing that there is a legitimate governmental reason to deny recognition to same-sex couples married elsewhere, just as there is in incestuous or child marriages. In other words, a comparison.  

---

by: CPT_Doom @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:38:31 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Poor Barney--moving from stooge to Quisling

Selling us out Barney, selling us out....
What did Obama  threaten you with to betray your own, was it hanging the banking scandals aound your neck?

Of course, you always were more or less a Mattachinist, but this, this snivelling servitude to the President who continues the marginalisation and persecution, tacitly or actively, of ten percent of the US population, is simply sickening to watch.

We stood by you when you were screwing an escort who used your home as a brothel; you abandoned us when the President screwed us.

We are done with you, Barney. We are done because we are done negotiating, pleading and begging.

We stand by the Dallas principles; full citizenship and equality for ALL LGBT's--now!

You, of course, never believed in that to begin with....but now you are an irrelevancy whose final bow was to betray us....

To "Barney Frank" someone will forevermore mean to sodomise without lube...what you tried to do to us.


I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

---

by: MauraHennessey @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:58:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Examining my reactions

Maybe the anger was just the overwhelming emotion blocking the rest. Tonight the HURT and broken trust has come to the front.
Neither of those are going to dessipate the way anger will.
I feel Obama purposely chose to inflict pain with that brief, and did the supposed amends so badly and insufficiently to make them mocking and insulting.
I don't believe what Obama says to me. That is going to be significant when he wants my support on other issues, or other funding or votes.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 20:50:05 PM CDT

Protest every Obama and DNC event

Do not let the administration experience a news cycle around an event that does not feature our demand for citizenship, a demand that he, amongst others, continues to deny.

Keep in mind that his words, during the campaing, and th words that he endorsed on the DOMA brief, will haunt us for years.

Hold our "fierce advocates" accountable

Don't let them buy their wway out of this with shallow gestures.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

---

by: MauraHennessey @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:32:17 PM CDT

Wow, I just read Aravosis' piece over at Salon.

John-Boy had a hissy fit and banned a bunch of us a few years back, but i may have to start reading his blog again.

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 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 21:56:16 PM CDT

Sooner or later he'll just ban you again.

I say that as someone who was never banned from Americablog.

---

by: oddjob @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:50:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yeah...you're right. Why bother? Thanks.

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

---

by: Jacques @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 20:29:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bad day

I've had to deal with Obamaniacs all day. And most of them were GAY! I cannot understand blind faith. Not at all...  

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by: Disuberence @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:01:23 PM CDT

Am I satisfied?

HELL F**CKING NO!

1st) This was the least passionate and least heartflet promouncement this president has made since assuming office. And coming from such a great orator it is ever so much more disappointing.

2nd) As I have said several times in the last 24 hours:

It's as if King Obama from his White House Mansion is looking out the window at the gay and lesbian peasants and pronouncing, "LET THEM EAT CAKE."

Keep your crumbs Obama, I want the same three course meal as everyone else. I am sick and tired of subsidizing the "opposite marriages." Talk about redistribution of wealth, Hummph!!

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

---

by: JohnVisser @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:21:36 PM CDT

Rachel and Keith missed that these bennies are already in place

Did I miss something?  Or did both Rachel Maddow and Keith Olbermann not get the memo that this grand gesture of Obama's today (granting a few piddly benefits to a few SS partners of Federal employees) accomplished nothing—that these benefits were already available.  At least R & K each put today's "action" in context as being a weak response to the furor over Friday's pro-DOMA brief.  We need to keep writing to MSM to explain that Federal employees already had these benefits supposedly granted by Obama today, and that this was a phony and insulting gesture of appeasement on his part.

I was holding my breath hoping that against all evidence something real might happen today (some balloons almost never land).  Like Obama finds his inner Andrew Shepard and says: "I fully reject the principles and the arguments enshrined in DOMA; they are blatantly unconstitutional."  Followed by ...

• "Today the WH is sending a bill to Congress repealing DOMA, and this bill demands full support from every congressperson who professes to believe in civil rights for all Americans ..."  or
• "The WH will be working with Congress this summer to write and pass a bill repealing DOMA.  In the meantime, I am issuing a stop-loss order to halt all DADT discharges.  We cannot require excellence and honor from our service members and simultaneously tell them that they must hide and lie ..." or
• full weight of the WH behind the Matthew Shepard Act, etc., etc.</li>
  
• full weight of the WH behind ENDA, etc., etc.

or any real fucking action that actually demonstrated genuine support, instead of a sorry, empty gesture and more words, words, words.

I'm scraping the bumper sticker off my car tomorrow and mailing it to the White House with yet another letter.  Was going to sell my buttons, t-shirt, and car magnet on eBay and donate the proceeds to the Victory Fund, but the crap ain't selling.  So it goes to the WH too, and I'll just have to cough up some of my own dough to donate to the VF.  No more money for the Dems (local, state, or national), or for any LGBT advocacy organizations that aren't agitating.

---

by: 555catnap @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:47:20 PM CDT

In case you didn't read JohnA....it is ALL GOOD!

Here is today's important part:

First problem, federal agencies already have the right to provide these benefits to gay employees -- and several, including at least one DOD agency, do. Second problem, the administration can't tell us exactly which benefits they're talking about and for which employees. That's because this was all hastily thrown together after the incestuous and pedophilic gays nearly brought down a Democratic National Committee gay pride fundraiser scheduled for next week. A gay blogger got hold of the event's guest list and published it, and once D.C.'s gay paper, the Washington Blade, announced that it would be staking out the entrance to the event with camera and video, the $1,000 a head attendees started dropping like flies.

In other words, the only reason we're getting anything: The gay ATM ran dry.

 

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.

---

by: Orion45 @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 22:54:41 PM CDT

My Two Cents

Latest FaBlog: For Immediate Release

---

by: David Ehrenstein @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:02:07 PM CDT

And in other news...

One of our VT State Senators (Peter Shumlin) who was to be an honoree at next week's DNC fundraiser has decided to boycott it in solidarity with us.

He wrote this to explain why he was boycotting the event:  "By defending DOMA and making reference to horribly inaccurate and deeply hurtful stereotypes about gay and lesbian Americans, the Administration has chosen discriminate against a minority group that we all have a responsibility to be more courageous in defending. This action will only serve to sow the seeds for further hatred and division against the only minority group left in America that politicians can publicly discriminate against and see their approval ratings rise."

Nice to see a heterosexual get it!

---

by: BobbiCW @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:10:32 PM CDT

WOW

I'm sending him a thank you card and will research moving to Vermont. We actually have rights up there, and Bernie Sanders has a petition on his Senate web page for single-payer.

http://sanders.senate.gov/peti...

THANK YOU SENATOR SHUMLIN!!

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

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by: Keori @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:06:27 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I'm confused

In his 1st paragraph the prez stated

Well, today I'm proud to issue a presidential memorandum

but in his last paragraph he stated

Thank you very much everybody, and with that I am going to sign this executive order.

Aren't a presidential memorandum and an executive order different?

You can lead a fool to knowledge, but you can't make him think.  

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by: Dianne @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:25:31 PM CDT

he misspoke at the end.

it is definitely a memorandum.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 23:39:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks, Lurleen

I just can't believe that the POTUS, an orator and constitutional scholar/professor who is a fierce advocate for the LGBT community misspoke at the end of an extremely important, but limited impact, moment in history. (end snark)


You can lead a fool to knowledge, but you can't make him think.  

---

by: Dianne @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:01:59 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

because...

because its not important to him.

---

by: grover nerdkissed @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:47:23 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

What Important Moment?

The Rental Truck Equality Memorandum of 2009, covering U-Haul costs of relocating the domestic partners of Federal Employees?

That was important?

That was naught but a political Xanax that they are offering us to try and sedate us.

I tell you Chica that no greater abomination exists than women denying their spirit of sisterhood and instead becoming the oppressor. -Rebeca, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

---

by: MauraHennessey @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 09:03:33 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

lets call himout on that

---

by: kevinchi @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 08:52:10 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Baldwin still calling it Executive Order too.

She has the two times I've seen her on T.V.  Last one was on Rachel Maddow last night.  She did call it an Executive Order and I think they are trying to confuse people to what they actually presented and he signed.  

The trollish sounding blogger formerly known as BURNSEY

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by: R.K. Wright @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 13:45:39 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

OMG

Kameny got the pen!

Fire Rahm "M*^%&%$%^&" Emmanuel and replace him with the staffer (as if it was a staffer!) who arranged that!

---

by: Seadog @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 01:16:39 AM CDT

Are we satified-- no!

It's about this time in a board meeting where there's been so much of discussion that we need to stop and make some "action items."

As I see it, there are 3 actionable items that CAN BE DONE and MUST be done before the DNC fundraiser on June 25th.

1. We require that the loathsome Brief in defense of DOMA  be RETRACTED at the President's or AG's order.  To cover their asses, they can claim it "needs to be revised" for all we care.  it must disappear.

2. Obama MUST immediately issue "stop loss" orders-- retaining the 200+ servicemembers who have been remove from military duty due to DADT since Obama's inauguration. The Commander-in-Chief should make it clear to the commanders that he will issue stop loss orders for every subsequent attempt to remove servicemembers by DADT until DADT is repealed.

3. We must be provided a timeline for the repeal of DOMA and DADT that is specific-- not "months and years"-- and it must be this year 2009.

These are actionable items that CAN be accomplished over within the next week. If these are done I will give Obama credit for having "a plan" and engaged in our cause.

I personally will withhold any contributions to the DNC or any other Democratic org until these few quick things are provided. The 2010 mid-elctions start in only a few months and our support (and money)is important.

Going out on a limb. I feel that we are not holding HRC accountable for their lobbying efforts on our behalf. They are the GLBT's main lobbying arm in Washington. I have given monthly contributions to HRC for almost 2 decades, and provided capital funds for their Washington offices. I am withdrawing future support of HRC until I can see some material headway (such as the action items above) on the matters of DOMA and DADT and ENDA.

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by: Texxas @ Thu Jun 18, 2009 at 02:21:16 AM CDT