L.A. Weekly: McCain is 'thinking small' with LGBT demonization strategy

Okay, LaBolt...

...has said it, Michelle has said it...

But more and more, I'm agreeing w/other Blenders that at some point (sooner being far better than later), Barack himself has GOT to say it- that he supports same sex couples having full equal rights.

Or am I missing something and he already has?

"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 @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 13:18:50 PM CDT

Hey..

I put a link to a video of Obama talking about his thoughts on this...I can't access the full link now...I'm at work...but it was under Pam's post 'McCain Heartily Endorses California Marriage Amendment'...titled This is how he feels..it's a CNN link. I can't remember exactly how he worded it..but if you have a few minutes check it out. It's down a ways towards the bottom...I can't search around right now, apparently I am supposed to be working.  :)

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by: juicyjuice @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 14:27:36 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I won't squeal

about work... and thanks! I will.

"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 @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 14:48:47 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Bringing this link back

upthread for others:

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/vid...


"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 @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 15:06:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Great...thanks!

did he say 'full equality'??  

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by: juicyjuice @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 15:31:28 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"Equal Terms"

Listen to that video!  All the civil rights... should be extended... in equal terms!!  Yeah!!

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by: juicyjuice @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 19:08:49 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

OT: Lawless Kansas pastor trespasses (again), arrested for assault at gay pride parade...

http://www.kansas.com/212/stor...

Pastor Mark Holick of Spirit One Christian Center and around 20 of his church's members had gathered near the park to distribute religious literature and express their belief that homosexuality is a sin.

"We expected him to be here," said Thomas Witt, vice president of Wichita Pride.

Holick was arrested at last year's event on a charge of criminal trespassing, which was later dropped.

In January, Holick filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming his free speech rights had been violated.

On Sunday, according to witnesses, Holick and other Spirit One members had entered the park and were attempting to hand out their literature.

Because the Pride organization had rented the park, it had the right to refuse entrance to anyone, Witt and police said. Holick and the others were asked to leave.

Protesters were allowed to congregate on the adjacent public sidewalks, provided their actions did not constitute disorderly conduct, added Sgt. Lem Moore of the Wichita Police Department.

Police said witnesses told them that upon exiting, Holick removed his $5 admission button, asked for his money back and threw it at Witt, striking him in the arm.

The incident was witnessed by several bystanders, including one who captured it on a hand-held video recorder Moore said.

Witt decided to press charges. Holick was arrested on suspicion of battery, police said.

"At that point we took the individual into custody," Moore said.

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by: Storm @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 13:27:59 PM CDT

McCain, LCR, & Obama

Well Pam, there shold be no surprise regarding the McCain gay bashing campaign strategy.  

I have always thought that the Log Cabin Republicans were a strange lot.  For one, if they really were fiscal conservatives, they would not vote Republican as deficits have soared during the Reagan, Bush I and Bush II administrations. They actually went down in the second Clinton term.

Second, even if the Republicans were the party of fiscal conservatism, I will never understand how the dollar comes before civil rights equality.  For me anyways, equality under the law is priceless.

Lastly, I remain extremely concered and disturbed that Obama continues to believe that Seperate is Equal. To my knowledge, he has never come out and voiced direct opposition to the California No SSM Amendment #8, unlike even Republican Governor Swartzenager. Michelle Obama came close, stating that we deserve "robust civil rights".  I wonder if she, as a black women, would go back to having "robust civil rights"?  Somehow, I don't think so.

I am also very troubled that Obama has unnecessarily turned sharply to the far right on other issues as well.....Can you say FISA?

I will continue to pester Obama's campaign about my concerns, but unfortunately, I have already lost most of my hope in him due to his continued lack of leadership on virtually all immediate and important issues at hand.  

vanhattan

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by: vanhattan @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 13:37:39 PM CDT

I like most of what you say, but

Lastly, I remain extremely concered and disturbed that Obama continues to believe that Seperate is Equal.

This is the only food the majority will eat.

The majority elects the president.

Obama said marriage is between one man and one woman. That statement alone could get him 100 million votes. He said the term marriage has a connotation of religion. But that civil rights should be extended to all, on equal terms. That is his way of getting our votes.

How much closer can he get without blowing the votes he needs to make it? He has to play the game of politics, majority rules. If he doesn't, he will lose!

If the majority of Americans were peachy keen with SSM, we wouldn't be having this discussion. The majority rules in an election, and in our lives, without a leader who will defy them. Make him president and give him the power to help us.  Period.

Watch the video Lurleen was so kind to post on an earlier post.  

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by: juicyjuice @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 20:04:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Two things

First Obama has come out against the California Amendment.  It's here http://www.advocate.com/news_d...

Secondly, I think it's ironic that gay marriage supposedly doomed Kerry in 2004 and might help the Democratic nominee in 2008.  The reason I believe this is because the anti-gay marriage folks in CA are looking for huge amounts of money to spend on the election and they are looking all over the country.  Now do you think that people are going to give to the California groups AND the conservative Repugs in their states?  I don't think so and since the "Christians" aren't too happy with McBush they might just give to the anti- gay marriage causes.

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by: BB @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 15:12:06 PM CDT

...interesting assessment.

Are there any stats to back it up. I think that would be marvelous.. and I am sure is true to some extent.  So now I hope the Court doesn't throw out  Prop 8... and they spend spend spend. Or they could give a decision say Nov 1.

By the way, for all you knowledgeable, I tried to find it but it didn't say specifically one of the commenters on another thread said that being a Constituional Amendment it has to pass by 2/3 not just a majority... that would certainly be a help. No we just have to disguise it as a School Bond issue and there is no way it would get 2/3. 

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

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by: Orion45 @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 18:30:12 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Any MSM speeches or pronouncements??

BB, a quote in the Advocate doesn't get much play.
Also from yesterday, I am very conscious that Michelle Obama's speech was presented at a GLBT event, etc.

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by: Karen in Kalifornia @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 19:09:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey Karen or Someone

Could you point me to someplace where I can read about Michelle Obama's speech? I was gone all weekend and missed it. I would appreciate it very much.  

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by: Fiona @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 19:29:54 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Michelle's speech is here:

http://my.barackobama.com/page...

And Senator Obama's letter to the Toklas Club is at:
http://www.alicebtoklas.org

"Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain" -- Iowa state motto

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by: Sportin' Life @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 19:44:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Thanks Sportin' Life

I'm heading there now.

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by: Fiona @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 20:34:48 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

One way I look at it

I think there's plenty of likelihood that Obama will become more outspoken in his support of full marriage equality. I'm not sure if it will happen before the election. However, he would be listening to and talking to lots of people who would be expressing those values, and I think it's really likely he would be open to their influence.
   Contrast that with McCain. He would not be talking to anyone in favor of marriage equality. He would have nothing to gain and a lot to lose. So with McCain, we would rapidly lose a lot of ground and keep sliding. With Obama, I think there's a lot of hope.

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by: CathyG @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 18:04:34 PM CDT

...maybe he could quote THE GOV.

Here is texted excerpt from Sunday's Meet the Press with Brokaw and Gov. Schwarzenegger.

Asked if he supports the measure by interim anchor Tom Brokaw, the GOP governor replied:
"No, not at all. As a matter of fact, I think the Supreme Court made a decision there. It was apparently unconstitutional to stop anyone from getting married. It's like 1948, the interracial marriage, when the Supreme Court of California has, you know, decided it was unconstitutional and then later on the Supreme Court of the United States followed, I think 10 or 12 years later. So I think it is, it's good that California lead--is leading in this way. I personally believe that marriage should be between a man and a woman. But at the same time I think that my, you know, belief, I don't want to force on anyone else, so I think we should stay with the decision of the Supreme Court and move forward. There are so many other more important issues that we have to address in California. So I think to spend any time on this initiative I think is a waste of time."

Radical indeed. Doesn't want to force his belief on anyone else!.. We have a winner folks in the political double-speak contest. Course with his little accent it all comes out so folksy... and I DO NOT mean this in a derogatory way...we all are very familiar with his presentations..and so accept him and them easily. He really is a winner ... but foreign-born, darn it.

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

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by: Orion45 @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 18:24:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Speaking of LCR,

there was a float with about 6 of them in Chicago's Gay Pride Parade this past Sunday.  As they slowly passed, the silence in the otherwise rowdy crowd was deafening.  To counter this, one guy on the float kept shouting "forget about President, we're fighting for equal marriage in Illinois".  That, in my opinion, is a much better use of their time and resources, lobbying the handful of swayable Republicans who currently stand in the way of civil unions here.

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by: Naperville Mom @ Mon Jun 30, 2008 at 23:11:18 PM CDT