1996 documents surface proving Obama publicly supported marriage equality

This is a good sign though isn't it?

If Obama at least supports marriage equality privately, than it means we'll be able to work with him on the other things that matter to us.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 04:46:45 AM CST

Well the election is over, so if he really supports marriage equality,

he is free to say so.  Well, I'm listening....  I don't hear anything...  

I don't think we can take anything away from this 1996 document.  We have no way of knowing whether his true thoughts (and more importantly, legislative intentions) were honestly portrayed then, or now, or ever.  That's what happens with too many politicians - there's no "there" there.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:10:03 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wasn't refering to marriage

I meant that his private beliefs suggest that he's more likely to help us with our other issues. Namely, ENDA, the repeal of DADT, the hate crimes expansion, and immigration rights.
But since you brought it up, no he is not free to say so. When he gets elected to his second term he'll be free to say so. For now, he has to be careful not to give the opposition ammo.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:07:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

i'm surprised

to hear you agree with the "now is not a good time" set. at that rate, we'll never have equality.  i'm not willing to give obama any more excuses.  he did a LOT of damage to us to get elected.  now he has to make up for it big time.  no waiting.  and so what if it costs his re-election in 2012?  equality for all american citizens is more important than barry's career.  and he can live the rest of his days knowing that he was a true public servant worthy of the oath he will took "to defend the constitution".  he should be honored to be in a position to become known as the greatest civil rights president of the 21st century.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:25:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

right on sister Lurleen

---

by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:28:17 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I didn't say

I was for the "now is not a good time" excuse, but we have to be sensible. Look at the people who are likely to be the republican candidate in four years. Are you really willing to hand the presidency over to someone like Huckabee, Palin, Romney, or Jindal?

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:34:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

i don't buy the argument

that a pro-equality candidate will lose.  with respect, i think you're raising a false dichotomy.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:54:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I think we've reached a point

where it's impossible to tell that one way or another, (a very good thing considering four years ago). The latest polls show that the country is split down the middle on marriage. That looks good on the surface, but since our presidents aren't elected on the popular vote, we have to account for the electoral college and regional trends, and those are not in our favor. There's also the variable of how many people will actually go to the polls.

All of these things can change in the next four years, but even if they don't, on his worst day, Obama will be far less damaging than whoever the republicans throw at us.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:04:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You Are Correct.

I'm sure many of you REALLY know how certain people feel about LGBT/SGL people...the ovens couldn't work fast enough for them. You need to know who you are dealing with and act accordingly.  Obama KNOWS these people and he knows they are no joke.

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:08:44 PM CST

[ Parent ]

"many of you"

so you're not even lgbt.  why am i not surprised.  you need to go back to troll college and re-take the class How Not To Divulge Your Non-membership To The Core Readership's Identity.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:12:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You are so CUTE!

Lurleen, you can keep on trying to out me as a troll and a non-LGBT/SGL person.  I don't care what you think of me nor do I care if you don't know who I am.  I know who I am and I know what I need. That's all that matters.  Love you, H8R!  Haaaa, haaa, haaa, haaa!  Just kidding, I REALLY do love you.  

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:35:14 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Pam, please flush this troll.

I do not appreciate being called a hater.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:55:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Why Do You Want to Censor Me?

Lurleen, Pam KNOWS EXACTLY WHO I AM.  She knows that I am not a troll. Your lack on knowledge regarding how Hip Hop Heads speak, complaining about being called "hater" is just plain silly.  I told you that "hater" can be used as short for "Player Hater". If you don't believe as other Hip Hop Heads, they'll explain.

Can't you see that WE are ALL in this together? I am not your foe.  I just see some things differently than you do. Can't we agree to disagree as we all strive for Committed Couple Equality?

In closing, I respect your views and your right to express yourself. Namaste.    

---

by: StayWoke @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 15:30:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

if you use the word "hater" on an lgbt rights forum,

you had better expect it to be interpreted to mean "homobigot".  i'm sure Pam knows who you are, and i'm guessing it's a troll that's been flushed more than once.  if not, you're embarrassing her.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 16:49:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I Can Use the Word Hater Whenever and Wherever I Want

I defined the word "Hater" for you as used in Hip Hop parlance.  "I meant what I said, and I said what I meant."  Ask any head and they'll agree 100%.  I am not a troll. I didn't know about nor had I ever visited, let alone posted on Pam's House Blend until November 8, 2008...the date I joined.  Why did I join? I joined because I was upset about the passage of Prop. 8. I found PHB while surfing the internet seeking out info and opinions after the Nov. 4, 2008 election.

How am I embarrassing Pam?  I speak for myself and myself alone. My opinions are my own. Pam respects what I have to say.  She may not agree with me and she doesn't have to. People can agree to disagree.  Not every one wants to speak in a house of mirrors or preach to the choir. A differing viewpoint may cause one to take pause...to see things in a way they hadn't before.  From my perspective, this is a good thing.

Again Lurleen, I respect you and your views.  I wish nothing but the best for you and yours as we work for Committed Couple Equality.

Now is NOT the time to be petty. Please, let's work together. Namaste.    

---

by: StayWoke @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 23:06:37 PM CST

[ Parent ]

people vote on the economy, national security, etc.

not on gay marriage. they talk up a good mess about it, but that is not what drives presidential votes.  and obama will be an incumbent to boot.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:09:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That's true

but marriage drives people to the polls more than those issues usually do.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:12:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

urban legend.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:13:26 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Perhaps

but I'm not willing to take that risk.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:15:25 PM CST

[ Parent ]

they're counting on that fear.

if we stay afraid and further legitimize their mistreatment of lgbt's, we will never realize the fullness of our citizenship.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:34:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Ahh Grasshopper....

The art of subterfuge and guerrilla warfare is many times counterintuitive. Learning Aikido at this time may be instructive. It is not us that fear, it is them. We can use that fear to win.  

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:41:56 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Civil rights come from courts

We will never see full marriage equality until a really juicy case hits the SCOTUS and they are forced to repeal ALL sacramental marriage from dictating tax law or inheritance rights. The answer here is actually pretty simple. Rid the clergy of any legal power and force everyone to be technically married at the city hall. If they wanna go do a sacrament for the Jeebus myth at St Agatha's afterward, fine with me.

African Americans would still be sitting at the back of the bus if it were not for the SCOTUS.

---

by: bostonian queer in dallas @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 05:11:42 AM CST

This goes along well

with Lurleen's diary last night. The "politician comfort level" is a slow and frustrating reality that must be achieved, I'm afraid.

But here's one who is possibly taking baby steps...- oh, I HOPE SO and will update.

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

---

by: Louise @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 05:14:37 AM CST

still sticking his finger in the wind, huh?

anyone who "still has to listen to the people and think it over" isn't a friend of equality, but a friend of incumbency.  something tells me that those 30,000 postcards you all collected on election day are getting noticed.  brilliant work!

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:17:32 PM CST

[ Parent ]

CALLING ALL MAINERS!!!

PLEASE- if you can, answer this call (just got this email from Cody and spoke with her yesterday):

Hi,

   I am a volunteer with EqualityMaine, and you probably received a call from me or another volunteer some time in the last couple of days.  I want to thank you again for being willing to help; yesterday (as most of you probably already know), it was announced that a bill will be introduced to the legislature that would allow for same-sex marriage in Maine. This is a great step towards equality, and we want to thank you so much for being a part of it.

   We have identified thousands of voters statewide who support LGBT rights, and we are now under a very tight deadline to get them into our database; the next couple of weeks are crucial, and we can use all the help we can get. If you are at all available, even if it's only for an hour or so, please give us a call at 761-3732.

   Most of the work we need done is simple data entry.  Volunteers can come in at any time between 9:00 AM and 8:00 PM every weekday, as often as you like; however, because we do have limited computers, anyone who could bring his or her own laptop is strongly, strongly encouraged to do so.

   We are also really trying to set up a regular schedule of volunteers, so if this is something you think you might be able to do on a somewhat regular basis (again, even if it's just for a short time once a week), please please please let us know.  Our office is located at 1 Pleasant St. in Portland, on the 2nd floor.  

   We are also setting up a kind of data-entry party/marathon all day on Saturday, February 7, during which volunteers will be able to help out while also enjoying music, free food, and the company of others, so feel free to stop by at any time for as long or short as you like on that day.

   Thanks you so much for being a part of this, and feel free to call or e-mail me with any questions.
Thanks!

-Cody Perkins

EqualityMaine

Re: Baldacci... Lurleen, I'll be honest. Have scrapped more diaries the past 30+ hours, trying to get the words right and having the damnedest time... but will keep working at it.

I'm of the mind that he WILL have an open ear and WILL sign a bill passed by the Legislature with little or no qualms.

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

---

by: Louise @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 17:54:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

my guess,

from the quotes presented in the article you linked to, is that you're right about the governor.  that is, if we can take his comments at face value.  i know nothing about the guy.  i look forward to your diary...eventually... :D

wish i could help with the data entry.  i'd be there if it wasn't for this big ole continent between my Portland and yours!

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 19:36:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Where it's hardest for me

regarding Baldacci is that we grew up in the same area and my family has informally known him and his family since he was a teen washing dishes in his parents' restaurant. Hell, my dad and his brothers knew all the kids in that family.

Same with John's good friend Bill Cohen- everyone knew the Cohens from their parents' bakery just over the river in Bangor. Hell, I babysat Bill's nieces and nephews all through high school.

So at that point, we're all a small community and it's hard to be objective about people I like and have alot of respect for. John Baldacci was our rep for years, then came back to run fo governor- to mixed results.

I think he has honestly done the best he could in many ways. But when it comes to equality, protection and removing discrimination, he is heads and shoulders above any other leader we've had in Maine.

So we'll see...


"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

---

by: Louise @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 05:37:18 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Yup

Yup. Yup. And yup. And nope, while it's not a surprising sign, I'm hard pressed to call it a good one.  

---

by: Nancy in NYC @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 06:27:36 AM CST

Is it right?

Cowardice asks the question - is it safe?
Vanity asks the question - is it popular?
Expediency asks the question - is it political?
But conscience asks the question - is it right?

There comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, popular, or political; but because it is right.
--Martin Luther King Jr.

The same gender marriage position of "civil unions" is about expediency.

At the same time, I believe a great deal of politics is about positions being taken due to cowderdice, vanity, or expediency -- it's about the polls.

And, Pam's right regarding electability: Which Democratic Presidential Candidate would have had a real chance at winning the national election this past November while staking out a full marriage equality position? Does anyone think Rep. Dennis Kucinich had a real chance?

On the other hand, Sen. Obama has spoken about transgender people needing civil rights protectionsprotected:

"The transgendered community has to be protected. I just don't have any tolerance for that sort of intolerance. And I think we need to legislate aggressively to protect them."

I'm sure making a statement in support of trans people isn't politic either.

To again quote Martin Luther King Jr.:

All progress is precarious, and the solution of one problem brings us face to face with another problem.

-----
~~Autumn~~

As if there were safety in stupidity alone.
--Henry David Thoreau

---

by: Autumn Sandeen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 06:34:22 AM CST

Really?

Which Democratic Presidential Candidate would have had a real chance at winning the national election this past November while staking out a full marriage equality position?

You really think taking a stand for LGBT equality would have cost Obama the election, given the huge lead he had?  Sure, it might have cost him a few points, but I see no reason to think it would have tipped the election to McCain.   One poll after another has shown that this is not that big an issue in most voters' minds.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

---

by: QScribe @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 09:05:48 AM CST

[ Parent ]

i have always believed

that voters respect a leader with strong convictions, even if they sometimes disagree with those convictions.  i have no doubt that obama would still have won if he had stood on principal on this one.  governor deval patrick won by a landslide in massachusetts, and he ran on a firm and unshakable equality platform.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:22:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

G.I.A

Guerrilla Intellectual Warfare is being waged, kid!  You need to wake your a$$ up and recognize that B-Rock WOULD HAVE LOST had he been square. This is a battle of wits, not necessarily one of logic and common sense...and we're WINNING!!!!  REMEMBER, we're dealing with people...not errbody is like Spock from Star Trek! We're humans, not Vulcans...people are strange, as the Lizard King once said. It takes all kinds to make the world and we need to learn how to deal with and work with those we oppose. "Pick fros, not fights.", knawnmean?

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:29:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

gay marriage

I have heard you all on this point and while I feel it is what we ultimately are working towards the climate in the minds of majority of Americans might not be to really allow gay marriage now. I know you don't agree with the strategy but if civil unions with all the same back up as marriage flys and gets passed then that is what we will end up with. If it needs to be revisited like in NJ to show that we are not being treated equal still then marriage will have to change in courts. and namely the SCOTUS. Just the Brown vs Board of ED. had to go and break down the education issue because we stil have knuckle draggers in this country.

---

by: jacjr56 @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 08:15:35 AM CST

That's why the Religious Wrong fight civil unions so hard

The Traditional Values Coalition has publicly stated that they are against civil unions specifically because (1) "Gay marriage lite" is a "sin" and we should all be put in camps or stoned anyways. (2) They know that "separate but equal" isn't, that the government will eventually have to admit that, and full civil marriage equality will have to replace civil unions.

Check out the anti-gay amendments of the last five years. How many of them specifically ban "marriage or the civil equivalent thereof"? How many states with marriage bans enacted further legislation or constitutional amendments banning even civil unions and domestic partnerships?

It's twisted and sad the lies the Religious Wrong tells. "Oh, we just want to protect 'marriage,' it's the WORD!" Puh-leeze. If that were true, language banning all legal protections for same sex couples wouldn't be voted on time and time again. It's not about "protecting marriage" for straight people. It's about using marriage as a weapon in the Christian Reich's war against gay people.

God save ornery old queens! - kevinchi

---

by: Keori @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 09:31:30 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Do you think he will ever come out in support of it publicly on a grand scale?

Since he claimed he was against it during his campaign, how would he do it? By saying that his opinion had evolved?

---

by: JoshMich @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 08:47:31 AM CST

Executive Order?

I was wondering if President Elect Obama could issue an Executive Order once in office to declare same sex couples the right to marry with all the same privileges that heterosexual couples enjoy for every state?  If President Abraham Lincoln could issue the Emancipation Proclamation to declare the freedom of all slaves then why couldn't Obama do a similar thing for same sex couples instead of us having to wait on the SCOTUS?  I am asking the question... could he do it?  Could it be done?

The truth is out there... (maybe)

---

by: xfiles @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 09:44:35 AM CST

No he can't...

If President Abraham Lincoln could issue the Emancipation Proclamation to declare the freedom of all slaves then why couldn't Obama do a similar thing for same sex couples instead of us having to wait on the SCOTUS?

That's simple. Lincoln was able to issue this proclamation because it was issued to cover states that we were at war with. It did not apply to the states that remained in the union but retained slavery.

Obama does not have this option.

---

by: kathygnome @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:11:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

I suppose if there was a civil rebellion in this country

Pres2B Obama could issue such an order in the rebellious areas.  

But we aren't.  I like California, I don't them to rebel.

If DOMA is dumped on a federal level, and the tax code revised, that could get very interesting for the Union(s).

Hate stops a beating heart.

---

by: KarenS @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:39:11 AM CST

[ Parent ]

No, he can't. marriage is regulated by state not federal law

I'm not exactly sure why this story is hitting the front pages now.

As someone who is in California and has been knee deep in the marriage fight for fifteen years it is blindingly clear that opposition to civil marriage for same-sex couples has nothing to do with logic.

I would bet you that even William Jefferson Clinton when he signed the Defense of Marriage Act in 1996 believed in same sex marriage... but [politically he felt he couldn't...

Both Clinton and Obama have taught constitutional law.

I'm jus' sayin'


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Mad Professah Lectures http://madprofessah.com
"In a time of universal deceit - telling the truth is a revolutionary act." George Orwell

---

by: Mad Professah @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:51:54 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Both Clinton and Obama have taught constitutional law

Exactly.

These aren't men who have divinity school degrees like Mike Huckabee.

They know better, which makes it even worse in my book.

It is like someone with a degree in Astrophysics saying that the universe is 5,000 years old to please the fundamentalists.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

---

by: Fritz @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:19:43 PM CST

[ Parent ]

They Understand How to Play Politics

This is a GAME! A VERY IMPORTANT GAME...of life or death.  We have to win this one "by any means necessary"...as El Haji Malik El Shabazz, once said. Clinton and Obama are both intellectual guerrilla warfare tacticians. They've read the playbooks: Che, Castro, Zapata, Fanon, Ho Chi Minh, Lumumba, MLK Jr., Baldwin, Nehru, ACP, Jr., etc. They know WORLD HISTORY very well. They know what mistakes were made in the past and are making corrections. Most importantly, they know what has worked, too.  I know all these games and tricks sound and are silly...but this is how it is. Play or go home.  

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:35:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I wouldn't want to be a disgraced Astrophysicist

And, what did DOMA and DADT get Bill Clinton?

He "played the game" and ended up with a Republican majority in both houses. He was unable to "play the game" for the last six years of his presidency.

Now, he will be forever known as the man who didn't stand up for an oppressed minority. In 25 years, people will look at his record with great distain.

Is Obama heading down the same path? It is possible.

If Clinton had done the right thing, he would have ended up with the same Republican opposition. The only difference would be that gay and lesbian people would be able to serve in the military and gay marriages would be recognized by our Federal government.

Clinton will be judged harshly for doing the wrong thing. Obama is off to a bad start.


When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

---

by: Fritz @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:55:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Time will Tell.

I'm placing my bets on Bubba and B-Rock! I bet the B-Bros will go down in history as the Dynamic Duo.  It's a gamble. It's a game. We're just going to have to wait and see how this puppy plays out. Bet on Black!!!!

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:51:46 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The constitutional basis of the Emancipation Proclamation

was the provision permitting the federal government (i.e. the president) to seize the property of traitors.  Even though it freed the slaves, it did so in a backhanded way, with implicit recognition they were property.  And even at that, only slaves in the Confederate states were freed.  The ones in the border states were shit out of luck till the Reconstruction Amendments were ratified.

That situation has no relevance to LGBT marriage, that I can see.  Besides, I don't think President God-is-in-the-mix would do it even if he could.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

---

by: QScribe @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 15:30:38 PM CST

[ Parent ]

What he said twelve years ago

isn't as important as what he said leading up to the election. IBMIBAMAAW. I can't bring myself to believe that a man as intelligent as he is was unable to see the damage he was causing every time he said it. And yet he said it over and over again.

I do believe he knows better. I do believe he personally supports equality. I also believe that he's perfectly willing to sacrifice me and mine on the altar of his own political career. Those who defend him want me to believe that the end justifies the means, that he's getting ready to pull a rabbit out of his hat in the form of some watered-down version of almost-equality. It's the same rationale that allows torture and the violation of our rights for the War on Terror to "protect" us, and I've never supported that reasoning when the hawks use it. I don't when Obama and his apologists use it, either. The end never justifies the means, they stand or fall on their own merits. I can't see any merit to his means.

Cause any fool knows, a dog needs a home; a shelter from pigs on the wing

---

by: QueerInSoCal @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:11:39 AM CST

If we are sacrificial...

then we are not equal.

Hate stops a beating heart.

---

by: KarenS @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 10:35:26 AM CST

[ Parent ]

exactly

During this election Obama said that legalizing gay marriage would force religions to perform them.  He knew it was a lie, but he said it repeatedly anyway.  And in doing so he gave the Prop 8 supporters one of their main talking points.  How were we supposed to negate that lie when our prince Obama, a constitutional law expert, said the same thing and we all thought it was okay?  So I'm sorry but whatever he said five years ago doesn't mean much to me today.

---

by: sdv @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 11:34:31 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Evidence, please?

This is the first time I hear that he believes that gay marriage would force religions to perform them.

---

by: kukito @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:04:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

he said it on at least two occassions

One was during the You Tube debate - I can't recall the other right now.

---

by: sdv @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 15:27:20 PM CST

[ Parent ]

No, he never said this.

You're confusing Yes on 8's lies about Obama's position with what his stated position actually was and is.

---

by: diablorobotico @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:37:19 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yes on 8 lies that he never bothered to refute.

He is on record saying that marriage is a religious thing.  Although I never heard him say that churches would be forced to marry gay couples, by always conflating civil and religious marriage he allowed people to make that fearful leap themselves.

Lurleen on Twitter

---

by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:40:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Yo, yo, yo! Plz Stop Trippin'.

I done told y'all that B-Rock got this! He is not being disingenuous...it's called SUBTERFUGE; mofos! Brothas and sistas, apparently y'all don't understand how to play politics so you don't get played.  It's called check yo'self before you wreak yo'self and if you guys keep on this particular trajectory...you gon' CRASH! Take a page out of Adam "Black Power" Clayton Powell, Jr.'s playbook. "Mr. Civil" rights was a soldier. He knew how to play to win until the powers that be exploited the chink in his armor. Let's be smart about this. Support BHO. He's the man with the plan and he understands. Committed Couple Equality is coming...love is on the way. Hold on, stay strong, and "Keep the Faith, baby!"  

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 11:26:52 AM CST

Please don't speak gansta

It's difficult to read, and is just annoying in general.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

---

by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:09:58 PM CST

[ Parent ]

FREE SPEECH

I can speak as I please. The last time I checked, I have a right...A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT!!! Who are you? The WORD POLICE? What?!!! Gansta?!!!! I'm not a gangster...I am a Hip Hop Head and this is how I speak. What is this "1984"? Maybe you need to learn to accept people for who and what they are and how they speak.  Not everyone wants to speak/write/type the "King's English". If you can't stretch/expand your mind to read and understand what I am laying down...cast your eyes away and ignore my postings.  I am here to drop knowledge...and my Uzi weighs a ton. If you can't take the weight, then run. Sorry.      

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:47:09 PM CST

[ Parent ]

You do have the right to free speach

You don't have to honor my request, but I do have the right to make it.  

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:08:59 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Cool.

I thank you for your request and will FIGHT to the DEATH for your right to make it.  That's what America's all about.

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:14:13 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Anytime soon?

I thank you for your request and will FIGHT to the DEATH for your right to make it.

The sooner the better.  

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 15:35:00 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I Love You

QScribe, I wish you and yours all the best this wonderful world has to offer.  May peace, happiness, and good health be yours during 2009 and always. Namaste.

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by: StayWoke @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 12:18:57 PM CST

[ Parent ]

The Price of FREEDOM is DEATH

Wise words from a wise man...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

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by: StayWoke @ Sat Jan 17, 2009 at 13:41:16 PM CST

[ Parent ]

rah rah rah!

empty cheerleading for obama is so stale.  he has wasted every benefit of the doubt i could give him by helping trash our rights on election day.  endless blind faith may work for you, but i'm no fool.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:33:10 PM CST

[ Parent ]

One Word...

HATER.

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:47:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

i was just about to defend your writing style above

(even though the 1st amendment does not apply to private venues such as this blog).  but screw it.  you call me a hater, you're nothing but a fucking troll.  fuck you, you fucking troll.  now go lick obama's ass some more - he just took a juicy shit and is need of your services.  run along now!

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:52:52 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I am Not a TROLL!

Lurleen, in time you and I will both walk in the light of the beautiful sun. A beautiful world I'm trying to find. I respect you and love you. I consider you a comrade in this beautiful struggle. Namaste.    

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:56:39 PM CST

[ Parent ]

you love me by calling me "hater"?

that's just sick.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:18:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Apparently you are not HIP to the lingo...

Lurleen, take a trip over to urbandictionary.com and look up HATER...short for PLAYER HATER. You are a PlayaHata cuz I'm a straight up playa'. In Hip Hop parlance, it's not necessarily a bad thing...up your game so you can be a PLAYA' like me! Don't hate the playa, hate the game.  It's all LOVE and it's all GOOD.

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:52:48 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Posted without comment...

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:58:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Right On!!!!!

Yup. I teach lessons. Hee, hee, hee!  

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:02:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

With that...

I must say that I hate deciphering comments that are written in too much slang or net lingo. Is BFF "best friends forever" or "Ben Folds Five"? It depends on whether you're 15 or 35.

I was just on a blog where they were writing in World of Warcraft slang. Now, that's scary!

Where will it end? ;-)

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:16:27 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It Never Ends.

Sorry to hear that you HATE "deciphering comments that are written in too much slang or net lingo". It's FUN for some. I'm just trying to keep this VERY HEAVY subject light.  I don't mean to offend or exclude, I'm just bringing it in a way that I hope doesn't sound like I'm preaching...and will give some people a couple chuckles. Comedy can reach people in ways "straight talk" can't.  Remember Lenny Bruce? Remember Richard Pryor?  Every heard of Paul Mooney? I'm not as funny as those guys, I try. Sorry if I failed...if I bombed...here on Pam's House Blend...the sound of crickets...  

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:27:24 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Chirp!

Sorry, I'm one of those people who go to comedy clubs with the hope of seeing someone bomb.

Sometimes that's funnier than anything.

WARNING! Not safe for work.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:41:47 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I'm Glad I BOMBED for you!

I hope I made your day! I hope to see you on the comedy club circuit...and yes, I am the BOMB!  

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:58:18 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh come on

Everyone knows that "BFF" is a reference to classical composer Johan Sebastian Bach, as in "Bach's Final Fugue."  It's about Contrapunctus XIV, a fugue that was never completed and the unending mystery of its intended permutation matrix.

I thought that was obvious.

I'm only a click away.

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by: JulieWaters @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 12:55:15 PM CST

[ Parent ]

neither are you.

here is the urbandictionary.com entry for hater.  it does not mean what you say.  if you meant playahata, you should have said playahata.  you didn't.

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:00:23 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Hater is short for Player Hater, too.

Now that we are on the same page. I can say whatever I want however I want. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION!

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:04:55 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Why on earth should I trust him?

If I understand your position correctly, you are maintaining that Barack Obama's repeated IBMIBAMAAW statements, which conflated religious and civil marriage, were a lie, but a lie told to appease the forces arrayed against gays and lesbians while he secretly works to our benefit.

Forgive me if I am missing something here, but why on earth would I trust someone who has spoken against me?  If he is telling the truth, then he's against me.  If he isn't, then he is a liar and cannot be trusted, period.

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by: pgraydon @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:45:04 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Silly Rabbit

Tricks are for kids...and you've been tricked.  When you are ready to play in the BIG LEAGUES with the BIG FOLKS, you'll understand.

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:50:42 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I Firmly Believe Obama Could Have Supported Marriage And Won

Obama has a compelling personal story, is an amazing speaker, ran a beautifully executed campaign and had many key opinion shapers, from Oprah and Caroline Kennedy to Will.i.am and beyond, pushing his candidacy. I absolutely believe he could have supported marriage and won handily. It could have solidified his credibility as a constitutional law scholar-- since there is no way to legitimately discuss the Supreme Court's marriage rulings without finding that gay and lesbian Americans are being deprived of a basic human right. It would have amplified the message of "change" and "hope" to show that he would work for both for a group targeted for oppression under Bush. It would have further helped galvanize the youth vote, who support marriage. It would have resonated with his parents' story, because their marriage would have been illegal in 17 states when he was born. Instead, we have a politician who disavows a prior commitment to a civil right because it is expedient. His public stance has "devolved" over time to favor the bigots. He denies publicly (including in the Audacity of Hope) having held a different prior position(although he acknowledges that his position might be wrong). He repeatedly on the campaign trail says that "marriage is between one man and one woman" and claims he believes this "as a Christian" even though his long-time church will perform marriages for same-sex members. When confronted with the difference between marriage and civil unions in the LOGO debate, he brushes the questioner aside with an "Oh c'mon." He reaches out to uber-bigots like McClurkin and Warren. His highest lgbt appointment (actually I know of no "t" appointments) is at the Export-Import Bank. I would be very surprised to see him devote any capital even to civil unions and will not hold my breath waiting for him to change his public position on marriage.  

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by: David Goroff @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 11:45:56 AM CST

Oh ye of little faith

The doubters and haters will soon recognize. Matthew 8:26

Nuff' said. PEACE!  

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 11:57:40 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Oh ye of great gullibility

"There's a tear in my beer,
I'm cryin' for you dear".  
--H. Williams

Got it?  WAKE UP!

Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:38:54 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Baby, I am AWAKE!

In fact, I StayWoke.  You're the one that's sleep.

---

by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:51:51 PM CST

[ Parent ]

Isn't it weird

that the trolls we've been dealing with for the last few days aren't extreme right-wingers but Obama apologists spewing the same kind of BS?  Just asking.

I am not interested in picking up crumbs of compassion thrown from the table of someone who considers himself my master. I want the full menu of rights.  -Archbishop Desmond Tutu

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by: QScribe @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 15:39:01 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I am NOT a Troll

QScribe, Why can't I support Obama? Why are you acting like the ThoughtPolice? Please respect my opinions.  I respect your views.  I respect you as a fellow human being with valuable thoughts, perspectives, and feelings.  We can agree to disagree, can't we?

---

by: StayWoke @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 12:25:07 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I can't believe you are giving us bible verses

when discussing a glbt-rights issue.

Don't you know how many times we've been beat down, and continue to be beat down with that hate-filled book of fairy-tales?  

Maybe I misunderstand your comment...if so I apologize.

---

by: Tom P @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 13:08:30 PM CST

[ Parent ]

I am well aware of how religion has been used and misused.

Please remember, many LGBT/SGL people are religious and/or spiritual people. There are LGBT/SGL that are praticing Muslims, Jews, Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs, Santeros...the list goes on and on.

Believe it or not, the bible can come in handy supporting the LGBT/SGL cause...it is a matter of interpretation.

No need to apologize.

---

by: StayWoke @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 15:56:45 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's also handy

as a doorstop and for paper airplanes when one is bored.

One of the most destructive books ever published and far too many innocent lives worldwide have been ruined by that rag.

"It goes on one at a time, it starts when you care to act, it starts when you do it again after they said no, it starts when you say We and know who you mean, and each day you mean one more."

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by: Louise @ Fri Jan 16, 2009 at 03:40:36 AM CST

[ Parent ]

Obama gives queers a puppy too…BITE ME!

Obama gives queers a puppy too...BITE ME!
Josh DuBois sucking up to Tony Perkins and Lamb of Southern Baptists makes Obama's team equally hateful if not worse than the Reign of Cheney. If Obama wants to appease queers, DUMP DuBois publicly,and retract Tim Kaine as DNC choice. btw Since when does a president PICK who leads the Party?
SAME you can believe in.
The idiocy that Democrats will except Tim Kaine as head of the DNC without a FIRESTORM is not what we contributed MILLIONS and 2 years of carrying Obama's water.
Attempting to make the DNC the RNC with an anti-gay, anti-CHOICE, anti-Labor, anti-Green Iraq War Hawk Tim Kaine makes no sense, America just said...OH HELL NO, to that.

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


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:10:38 PM CST

Obama doesn't support my equal rights...

at this time...that's all I know for sure.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:12:40 PM CST

This isn't a surprise.

There's no way any thinking, feeling, least-bit sane person can oppose marriage equality.  It's impossible.

I've never believed Obama did and I don't believe Bill or Hillary do or that John Edwards does and I don' believe the majority of Republican politicians do either.

It's just like anti-LGBT bigotry in general: everybody thinks this is what they're supposed to think because that's what everybody else thinks this is what you think.  But most people simply don't think it.  And it's made worse by power-mongering politicians and corporate religious types needing this hate to help keep them in power.

If the message was that it was okay to believe what you really believe and to say it out loud, a lot of people in this country would be glad for the chance to stop pretending to hate people.

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by: diablorobotico @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:34:51 PM CST

It's possible that Obama's people

actually pointed this interview out to the Windy City Times. Their archives are really quite accessible in a few locations (Harold Washington Library, Gerber Hart,etc.) and some articles are accesible are online.

(Incidentally WCT just did a review of Roland Burris' record on LGBT issues just last week and it also published a couple of interviews of Burris done in the 90's. It may also be in searching the archives for Burris' statements on the LGBT issues that this Obama interview came to light.)

Obama has talked out of 5 sides of his mouth on this issue. I get that. I understand that he has done that for political expediency. Ok

But does he have the courage to do what LBJ did?

I'm waiting with one eye open, my arms folded, and my feet tapping.

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by: kevinchi @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 12:39:10 PM CST

I Find The Timing Interesting

As Kevin notes, WCT's archives are readily available and its leadership knows its contents cold. The fact that the actual questionnaire did not reemerge until after the election seems odd to me. You would think that all newspapers--at least those in Illinois-- would have scoured their archives and morgues to find anything they had on Obama once he became the candidate It would not suprise me if the Obama campaign team requested that WCT hold the actual questionnaire for release until after the election, although I have no knowledge of this.

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by: David Goroff @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:04:34 PM CST

[ Parent ]

It's called a tactic.

What's so wrong with engaging in Guerrilla Intellectual Warfare? Y'all want to win, don't you? Play the game or you WILL get played.  

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 13:11:35 PM CST

[ Parent ]

That makes sense, David, because

The Chicago Reader certainly went into it's archives for the 1997(?)cover story on Obama (that is the first bit of press that I remember on Obama)that became, in part, the basis for right-wing attacks on Obama's associations

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by: kevinchi @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 14:01:31 PM CST

[ Parent ]

BHO has Boat Loads of COURAGE and SMARTS!

LBJ has nothing on BHO...BHO knows...and soon...so will you.

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by: StayWoke @ Wed Jan 14, 2009 at 15:03:08 PM CST

[ Parent ]

There's a very funny First Lady piece on queerty today

How the First Lady's office is decidedly gay, and what michelle can learn from past first ladies, the Barbara Bush piece made me laugh so hard I cried.
   http://www.queerty.com/all-the...

for the guys here,
the Morning Goods today is a stunning Brazilian BEAUTY, that you'll click and save his pics TOO.

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


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 09:24:11 AM CST