On Saturday, approximately 200 protesters showed up at San Diego’s Manchester Grand Hyatt to protest Doug Manchester’s $125,000 contribution to Prop. 8 as well as former President Bill Clinton’s decision to cross the months old picket line to give a paid speech. Did the former Prez meet any of the protesters, which included NAMES-Project founder Cleve Jones and the Courage Campaign’s Rick Jacobs? No. Did he acknowledge the fact that while he was talking about how “we are a multiracial, multireligious, multiethnic country” in his speech, gays and lesbians were outside in the rain demonstrating because their basic civil rights had ben taken away? No. Is Bill Clinton a friend of the gay community?
Hell no. San Diego’s Rex Wockner attended the event and writes:
“Near the demonstration’s end, four gay activists entered the hotel in an attempt to deliver to Clinton 30,000 signatures collected by the Courage Campaign urging Clinton to relocate his convention address to a different venue.
Courage Campaign Chair Rick Jacobs (right), NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt founder and union activist Cleve Jones (holding petitions), Sara Beth Brooks of the San Diego Equality Campaign (left), and local Pride at Work Co-chair Carlos Marquez were halted just inside the main entrance by hotel staff.The activists requested that Clinton or a representative meet with them to receive the petitions. The hotel staff said they would relay the message, then walked away. After several minutes, the staffers returned and the activists repeated their request. The staffers again said they would relay the message, then walked away.
There was no indication that the activists’ request was passed on to Clinton or his representatives and, thereafter, the hotel staff simply ignored the activists.The activists huddled for a few minutes and then left the hotel and returned to the rally.”
ggreen
Rule One of being Clinton:
Pay yourself FIRST!
DADT, DOMA now this.
Great LGBT support there Billo.
F*ck YOU
Paul Raposo
Wow, Bill Clinton is a douchebag. Who knew? How do we get revenge? Make sure A Clinton never sees the inside of the WH again. That’ll kill him.
Jock
Well, what do you expect from a guy who got a blowjob from an INTERN?!
alan brickman
I wouldn’t meet with them either…Who knows which one would lose it for the sake of the media present to make themselves famous…he honoured an engagement and will probably rethink these engagements for the next one. plus I’m not a fan of boycotters or banners..they sound like “Closet Christians” to me….
Brian San Diego
Write a letter to his wife.
RDM
Perhaps Clinton will donate his speaker fees to overturn prop 8?
He probably made over $100,000 for that speech.
Sebbe
He’s on Larry King this week. I hope this comes up.
Sebbe
@RDM – Clinton donate speaking fees? I just lmfao. Would be nice and the right thing to do, but I think the odds are better in vegas.
Kevin
This makes me feel much better about flipping him the bird when his motorcade came through town and Chelsea was slumming every Wednesday at 111 Minna. Seems just like yesterday…that 111 Minna was actually cool.
flightoftheseabird
Disappointed by Bill Clinton again. Let me express my surprise. Oh wait, I am not at all.
Leland Frances
1. Clinton was wrong, but the “Courage Campaign” and Rex “Pretend I Have Hair Under This Hat” Wockner and Media Whore Cleve Jones are showing signs of mental retardation: Clinton didn’t choose the venue.
2. The EXACT kind of venue dispute is happening now with the 217,000-member CA State Bar Association, which is holding their Sept. annual convention at this hotel, [as is the State Bar Conference of Delegates which subcontracted with CSBA] and reveals the ignorance in the “easy to move” nonsense.
No less than Fred Karger, founder of Californians Against Hate and the boycott of the hotel, after learning that the Association signed their contract at least five years ago/before Prop 8, and with the Hyatt Corporation not Mancheser itself, has said:
“You can’t really get out of it without losing half the money or something,” “but he suggested that the State Bar and similarly situated organizations could still ask attendees not to patronize the hotel for food, drinks and amenities while there.”
Nevertheless, the CSBA has looked at other venues but found nothing comparable available at that time for their needs.
– http://www.metnews.com/articles/2009/hotel011409.htm
Watch to see how many boycott it.
3. One assumes, Japhy, you thank St. Judy every night that YOU aren’t judged by the “all or nothing” guillotine you repeatedly drop on Clinton. Another fawning piece on Anderson Cooper appearing in 10, 9, 8, 7, 6 ……
4. Movement great David Mixner has been flaming Clinton this week on his own site for crossing the line. But Mixner is also one who, like most adults, looks for the good in others and not just the bad, and said in a 2004 “MetroWeekly” interview:
“Bill Clinton will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents for this community, ever. Ever, ever, ever, ever. For the scope and the breadth of the changes he made in the agencies and the State Department. It was against the law for us to openly serve in the State department before he came in. People seem to forget that. Against the law. We could not work in the State Department. He made historical changes across the board. But he was far from perfect—DOMA, Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. …
[His overall legacy] is extraordinary. The executive order banning discrimination against our community in every agency except the military but including the civilian defense department. Allowing us to serve in the Peace Corps. Allowing us to serve in the Job Corps. Opening up appointments — I think there were something like a hundred appointments [serving in his administration]. I mean, come on. In 1988, the [Democratic] Caucus wouldn’t even accept our money. That’s a sea change where I come from. Perfect? No.” – David Mixner.
5. This is a blip. 99.99999999999999999% of Americans won’t even know about Clinton’s action this weekend while last year he recorded an anti-8 robocall message that went to millions of voters.
Obama only released a statement while a recording of his emphasizing AT RICK WARREN’S CHURCH that “marriage is between one man and one woman [because] God is in the mix” was appropriated by the Yes on H8TERs and inserted in a robocall that went to millions, too.
So the question remains fair: does Obama share responsibility for the passage of H8TE?
Sebbe
@Leeland – point well taken, it’s sometimes hard to remember how long ago 1992 was.I wasn’t even a teenager yet.
rigs
who cares stop whining if someone doesnt DO EXACTLY what we want they are all of a sudden our enemies? Please, you won’t get far with that mentality…
Sebbe
@Rigs – true – part of the problem is many Californians truly believe they are the center of the universe. We all really know that the real power and political change in this country still happens in the boswash corridor. California is too big of a state to get anything done efficiently. Even though there are twice as many people in the east, things seem to be moving quicker, specifically in the Northeast.
It is odd to me that there is never any similar outcry when Bill is speaking in countries that have and continue to commit horribly atrocities against humanity.
That said, I support my west coast brothers and sisters and will be out in Cali next month.
andy_d
This is the man responsible for Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT) – the reason why I voted independent for his second run for president.
He also signed the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). He and his wife have both voiced their lack of support for same sex marriage.
Why should this action of his surprise anyone? Talk about a greedy wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Sebbe
The Clintons do what is necessary for them (or they believe is necessary) for them to gain and hold onto as much power as possible.
Generally speaking they are very wise and good “politicians”. It is hard and probably unfair to judge him or her, solely on their support or lack there of in regards to gay issues. He did accomplish many great things as a president. Anyone who ever thought Bill was a left-wing president was fooling themselves. He was one of the most centrist politicians we have had.
The thing with Billary, they may think they are fooling you, but you pretty much know exactly what you are going to get and not get with them. I do believe in regards to his presidency, he gave us what he thought he could for what amount of political capital he could expend on it.
Sebbe
@Andy – how do you vote independent? Like for Nader or something. You might as well not even vote or vote for the republican in regards to a national election, especially since we do not have a proportional representative form of government.
Did you also throw you vote away in 2000, 2004, 2008? It is your vote to do so. I just hope you live in a safe blue state where your vote didn’t matter and doesn’t matter either way in regards to national elections.
petted
I wouldn’t be surprised if the staff didn’t pass the message along then again I wouldn’t be surprised if they had in fact received it and choose to do nothing either.
Charles J. Mueller
This might be a stupid question, but if the fundies and magic undies crowd were able to mount a proposition that resulted in the taking away of same-sex marriage rights that had already been established as law in California, then what is there to prevent any group of people from mounting a proposition to take away say, the right of women to vote, striking down interracial marriage or any other other civil-right that has been won by a minority group of people, simply on the basis that it violates the beliefs of their particular religion, goes against tradition or just pisses off the “We simply don’t like it” crowd?
I’m sorry, but I am having a difficult time wrapping my head around the notion that any vigilante-like group of people can just decide, on their own, that someone else’s civil-right can be put to a popular vote? Isn’t that against the Constitution?
I mean, we got all bent out of shape when Mr. Bush fucked-over the Constitution and trashed human rights at Gito, and other civil-rights violations like habeas corpus. So, why do the RRR (radical religious rubbish) get a free pass when they do it?
And if, in fact, it legal to do so, then why isn’t the LGBT community in California mounting a proposition to vote on the taking away of the tax exemption of the LDS and Catholic Churches in their rspective states?
Is there any reason why that could not be done..and if so, why hasn’t anyone thought of it before?
I’d love to hear some thoughts on this.
Charles J. Mueller
@petted:
Absolutely. Since it was the hotel being boycotted, it’s obvious that the hotel staff would cover their own asses, just like the cops do when they beat someone up or kill them.
Ever hear of the practice of “throw-down” guns?
Tonytigger
The Clintons play to the gays when they need their money and votes. The Clintons DO NOT support us. They have instituted more legislation against our community then Bush did in his 8 years in office. Bush talked the talk against GLBT rights, but Clinton walked the walk against us. This shouldn’t come as a surprise. I voted for Bill twice, but because of how he treated us I did not vote for Billary and will not ever vote for a Clinton again.
Sebbe
@Tonytigger – i will reiterate, the Clintons play to all groups when they need their money and votes. They are professional politicians. The Clintons support themselves.
I honestly don’t believe we would have been any better off with another term of Bush I in 92′ or Bob Dole in 96′. We are a small minority, and as such sometimes have to pick the lesser of two evils. I don’t think Gore or Kerry would have given or advocated for all that we want and deserve either, but had they been president, I feel we would be further along at this point than we are now. Do I think we are going to get everything we want and deserve from Obama? Absolutely not, but I surely thing we will fare better than under a McCain/Palin presidency.
While we need to stay vigilant and focused, we also have to remember that we are a very small minority and part of the population and with each day/month/year luckily our influence and voice continues to grow. Gay rights are certainly not the most important issue for the majority of Americans. There are those on both sides (for and against), but the majority of people don’t give it a second thought, and it is our job to keep it in the discourse of political dialogue.
HYHYBT
@Charles J. Mueller: Federal overrides state, and most or all of your list are explicitly protected either by the US constitution, federal law, or US Supreme Court rulings.
michael
Boys and girls, don’t worry about it. Cause the U.S. is going down. It has set a course and nobody can stop it. So if I was Obama I would had have the central bank just start printing money and throwing it out in the street so every one can have one last hurrah. Because the Titanic has hit the iceberg and there is no saving it. Within 2 years the American dollar will go through the floor, it will be impossible to make the interest payments on the national debt. There is going to be a war that will break out in the Middle East and Russia is going to be in this one big time. Your going to see new levels of Religious and governmental corruption exposed. America is built upon a foundation that is but twigs and they are giving way. But hold on to your hats cause in time something new will form. People do not change or learn there lessons easily and its all necessary for whats coming up.
Tony
I feel sorry for this generation of gay youths. I remember back in the 80s when AIDS first made its appearance, the politicians, especially Ronald Reagan and George H. Bush, turned their faces away and let hundred thousands of our brothers and sisters died. We didn’t wait to see who were our friends or not. We protested! On the national level, there was ACT UP, who everyone thought at the time was too controversial. Well, ACT UP got the medicines for those surviving HIVers. Local activism was also strong — Harvey Milk and his group. I was proud to see the reactions or responses to Prop 8.
Is Bill Clinton our friend!? No! Money! Money! Money! I don’t mean to be paranoia, but I wonder sometimes if there is a gay holocaust.
libhomo
The Clintons always have been viciously homophobic. Hillary Clinton worked for a union busting law firm. What Clinton did is so typical of what a piece of garbage Republican he really is.
andy_d
@Sebbe: I vote for the person whom I feel will best serve my community, my interests and my rights – regarless of party affiliation. I do not “throw away” my votes, as you state. I put them to work for me. If I don’t vote, then I have no right to complain about the outcome.
Did YOU vote?
Sebbe
@Andy – yes I voted and raised over fifty thousand through fundraisers for the winning candidate. I’ve voted in every election I have been old enough to even when abroad, although admittedly usually for the loosing candidate before this election. I always vote, and not just for the “big” races but for everything, right down to local school boards. Although, I wouldn’t vote for a republican in any circumstance.
Jaroslaw
Charles – thoughts on the vigilantes – it is in the court system. Not the most pleasant thought, but the court eventually does the right thing, even if it doesn’t do it right this minute. Bowers vs. Hardwick was overturned in Lawrence and whatever it is worth, retired SCOTUS judge Powell said he regretted making the wrong decision in Bowers.
I’m sorry if I don’t express this next thought particularly well, but as much as I want equality in marriage etc. one cannot restrict access to the ballot initiative process or the legislature etc. only to the groups we like. Because that can happen to us. So while it is unfortunate Prop 8 happened, it must be allowed and then, only then, can the court decide whether or not it is constitutional.
Sebbe
@Jaroslaw – There are many states that do not allow ballot initiatives only about half of states do for any reason at all.
getreal
Eventually and sooner than a lot of us think these propositions will go the way Jim Crow laws did this is just an unfortunate time in history that will pass. The tide of public opinion is changing.
Tom
It is incorrect to say Clinton could not change his venue. Especially since GLAAD, HRC and other organizations had NO PROBLEM AT ALL changing their venue from the manchester hyatt shortly after the prop 8 results.
chapeau
I’m so sick of having to apologize for this SOB.
This was an opportunity to actually put ACTION behind his rhetoric.
He FAILED MISERABLY.
Bill – you finally lost me as a fan you f’g douche.
Charles J. Mueller
@HYHYBT:
Thank you for that clarification.
Infamy of Clinton
Speaking of Bill Clinton:
It is opined that Bill Clinton committed racist hate crimes, and I am not free to say anything further about it.
Respectfully Submitted by Andrew Y. Wang, J.D. Candidate
B.S., Summa Cum Laude, 1996
Messiah College, Grantham, PA
Lower Merion High School, Ardmore, PA, 1993
(I can type 90 words per minute, and there are probably thousands of copies on the Internet indicating the content of this post. Moreover, there are innumerable copies in very many countries around the world.)
_________________
“If only it were possible to ban invention that bottled up memories so they never got stale and faded.” Off the top of my head—it came from my Lower Merion High School yearbook.