After enumerating his progress of gay rights (DADT repeal and not defending DOMA), President Obama said he supports gay marriage in an interview with ABC’s Robin Roberts:
“I’ve stood on the side of broader side of equality for the LGBT community. I had hesitated on gay marriage, in part because I thought civil unions would be sufficient, that that was something that would give people hospital vistitations, elements that we take for granted. And I was sensitive to the fact that, for a lot of people, the word marriage was something that evokes very powerful traditions, religious beliefs, and so forth. But I have to say, over the course of several years, as I talked to friends and family and neighbors. When I think about members of my own staff, who are in incredibly committed monogamous same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or Marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf, and feel constrained even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is repealed… At a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally, it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think that same-sex couples should be able to get married.”
Bravo!
In other news, Mitt Romney reaffirmed his opposition to gay marriage and civil unions. Boo.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
Charlie
Praise him!
Delius
The job of a president is to make hard choices and convince others that you are right. If he used his position to show the voters of North Carolina and other places that they have nothing to fear with gay marriage then, gay marriage would have passed. In California’s place all he needed to do was convince only 2 percent of the population to change their view and then California would have gay marriage.
A president needs to be ahead of the curve, not sadly behind like President Obama has been.
A president leads by example and doesn’t hide behind “evolving” views.
Lets hope that he is truly supporting gay marriage and not taking another politically expedient position.
Michael W.
Do not be mistaken in thinking the North Carolina ban wouldn’t have passed if he shifted his stance earlier. Obama does not have the power to change minds, contrary to what many believe. If Obama came out in support of gay marriage on Monday, the amendment still would’ve passed and the media would then label gay marriage a political loser, an albatross hung around the president’s neck. Him not coming out until after the amendment passed was a calculated decision and one in which I’m in agreement.
James
@Delius: Geez, can we finally get off his ass now? Do you not see how HISTORIC this is to have a sitting president come out in support of same-sex marriage? Given that North Carolina, Florida, and Ohio are swing states, this obviously isn’t a “politically expedient position.” There are a lot of social conservatives in those states, and this “politically expedient position” might lose him those states.
Kudos to President Obama for having the courage to say this!
ChrisC
Absolutely wonderful, what a truly marvelous day and victory…
1equalityUSA
I swore off Queerty for all of their censorship and “moderated” posts, but this is too huge not to comment on. (Unless, of course, this post gets moderated.)
President Obama deserves our support, effort, and money. This is courage that will buy the Democratic Party loyalty for years to come. The real fight now is ahead. I’m going to go put his bumper sticker back on my car and pull my Obama shirts out of the dust bin. I’m so proud to have a President who is strong enough to stand up to hatred and say what he believes. Other peoples’ religious beliefs cannot take away inalienable rights. Kathleen Sullivan would make a good Supreme Court Justice, yes?
Darling Nikki
Do you think Hillary Clinton would’ve done this?
No.
Once again more of a leader than any party has shown on this issue and actually several others. If people relied less on FOXNews they’d know. Can he get his due?
On a side note: Has anyone heard Bill’s North Carolina Robocall? Not exactly an endorsement of gay marriage. Basically he implores people to vote against the North Carolina Amendment because it won’t change the definition of marriage in the state as being between one male and one female but imploring that if this amendment passes, fellow North Carolineans can beat their girlfriend without repercussions since Domestic Violence provisions won’t now apply to single dating heteros.
Slick Willy, slicker all the time.
swimmer - Chicago
Wonderful – I love Obama! I hope this does not cost him the election.
Cam
I have been very hard on Obama for his position. Even though I still supported him for President because the alternative “Romney” was unthinkable because of his open holstility to gays and his spineless cowtowing to the Right wing.
However, now rather than just receiving my vote he will recieve a donation and a hell of a lot more enthusiasm.
Took you a while Mr. President but welcome and thank you.
dvlaries
Can we reelect him right now? 🙂 Romney, go take a nap.
Cam
@1equalityUSA:
Exactly, Show the politicial parties that supporting us brings in money!
jeff4justice
This is actually awful!
Now all the dumb single-issue voter LGBTs will be more prone to ignoring Obama’s attack on civil liberties, the war, the drug war, the immigrant war, his attack on the environment, his expansion of government secrecy, his attack on protestor rights, his signing the NDAA (indefinite detention of US Citizens without trial), the killing of US citizens without trail, and on and on.
If we can go from a country where woman and racial minorities could not vote then we can elect an alternative party candidate that is pro-equality, pro-civil liberties, and pro-peace. If we went from thinking we’d never elect openly-gay politicians and a black President then we can elect an alternative party candidate.
Occupy, woman’s groups, immigrant groups, and labor groups are out marching yet all of their grievances are collectively caused by the 2party system (remember the Democrats sell out on health care?).
Look up on YouTube:
Gary Johnson Defends Gay Marriage
Presidential Candidate Roseanne Barr Roseanne On LGBT Issues
Presidential Candidate Rocky Anderson On LGBT Issues
Presidential Candidate Dr. Jill Stein On LGBT Issues
Presidential Candidate Stephen Durham On LGBT Issues
Look up online:
Romney Obama the Same?
Bush Obama, Same Old Drama
21 reasons why I will not vote for Obama in 2012
Michael W.
The more I think about it, the more I wish he hadn’t done it. Frankly I’d rather he be re-elected. I knew he supported gay marriage all along and that was enough for me. Now he might be more principled, yes, but it won’t do me any good if he’s principled on a plane back to Chicago on January 20, 2013.
This was a very dangerous and unnecessary move. You guys still give Obama too much credit in his ability to effect change when he’s done nothing but demonstrate his utter lack of it for the past three years. It’s seriously overblown and it won’t move the needle one bit in the direction of marriage equality. If anything we better hope it doesn’t produce a backlash.
M
I know some gay activists will say “too little, too late” and some gay republicans will be upset that it wasn’t their candidate who made this move and want to deflect, but maybe we can all agree to put aside those feelings for one minute and recognize the historic nature of this event. Yes, politics played a role, but it always has. All the great civil rights decisions made by presidents had some political calculation involved.
A sitting President just endorsed marriage equality. It is a good day.
GayBachelorBlog
So happy about this!
Harry PotHead
Obama does not love us. He only came out in support “of states issuing their own laws” because he knows he has the black/latino vote in the bag, and the issue will only buy him votes from sycophants like yourselves. It’s embarrassing how you people embrace someone who panders to you so shamelssly, but privately thinks you’re second-class.
K!r!lleXXI
This issue is way too complicated to ever see any consensus among all of the people living in the country. Some say it is too early, others say it is too late, some fear it will jeopardize Obama’s chances of reelection, but really it would never be safe for anyone to come out in support of such a controversial issue, so kudos to Obama for having the courage to admit it: this is what makes you a great President of you time — having guts to support something unpopular enough to cost you your highest position. In my country of Russia we do not have a President who would have guts to do that. I guess, that is why America is so great and why Russia is a sore loser.
Robert in NYC
So don’t hold your breath if Romney is elected. Expect NOTHING, expect promotion of DOMA and invalidation of same-sex marriages. The republican trolls who come in here just can’t take it. Finally a sitting president who had the courage to support equal marriage. Obviously he has a brain!
OrchidIslander
@Michael W:
Best Chicken Little imitation ever!
@James:
@1equalityUSA:
@M:
I couldn’t agree more….
pedro
Ann Romney can start ordering new drapes for the Oval Office, because Obama is done. His reelection was always a longshot, but now it’s officially a lost cause. All hail President Mormon!!
Jakey
@Delius: Jesus Christ, the President of the United States just said gay people should be able to marry, and in an election year no less. Let yourself have five minutes to enjoy it before you look for reasons why he didn’t do it right.
J
This guy is exploiting us.If he admitted his past homophobia,I would forgive him.But he’s going on like he was never a homophobe when he was born in a homophobic world.
Hate him forever.
Cam
@Michael W.: said..
”
The more I think about it, the more I wish he hadn’t done it. Frankly I’d rather he be re-elected. I knew he supported gay marriage all along and that was enough for me. Now he might be more principled, yes, but it won’t do me any good if he’s principled on a plane back to Chicago on January 20, 2013.”
________________
It is sad that you are so into the mindset that gay is bad that it has not occured to you that perhaps he did this because his people figured out it would be a benefit.
Over 50% of the country supports marriage and around 70% of the Democrats AND over 20% of the GOP. Those numbers are large when compared to the ones opposed. The OBama campaign isn’t stupid, they aren’t going to do something that is going to hurt them.
Cam
@jeff4justice:
Could the GOProud or Log cambiners just give it up already? Bush and a decade of GOP control of Congress took us from a surplus to complete economic collapse. We have now had over 30 straight months of economic improvement, we have had DADT repealed, the president ordered the DOJ to stop defending DOMA in court and he has come out in support of gay marriage.
Your commentary and attacks are sad because you are supporting your party over the good of America, over Civil rights etc… You are anti-American and Anti-Gay.
jj
So proud of him! hes taking a huge risk in showing support before the election and i hope people will now shut the f*ck up about him not doing enough for the gay community.
pedro
@Cam: It’s not about gay being bad, it’s about the political reality. I never thought Obama would be stupid enough to succumb to the(deserved) criticism he was receiving on this issue. I thought he was more of a political animal than that. I do not think this is calculated. I believe that Obama, being a biracial man (Yes he is not actually black), saw what happened in NC and reflected on his own parentage and how they would have been treated not so long ago, and that along with the pressure from gays and other liberals forced his hand on this issue. I think he will suffer greatly at the polls because of this. He will lose come November.
Cave Man
@M: I agree with you and your eloquently stated post, but I must say that were it not an election year, Obama would still be mum on the issue. It was only Joe Biden’s comments on Sunday that prompted Obama to make his remarks today, not any epiphany that gays are suddenly good and deserve equal rights.
1equalityUSA
My other thought is that they have something on Romney to be rolled out later that will blow the man out of the water.
Jase
@Cave Man: I disagree. I’m shocked he did it in an election year. He has a lot more to lose than gain from it.
Andy
Where was he when the Democrats had the House and Senate? As we’re so often reminded, Obama is not a dictator. So what will this declaration accomplish? How will DOMA be repealed with a Republican House and a possible Republican Senate in the fall?
Without actions, it’s empty words.
Curtis
Took you long enough, Mr. President.
Laura
I agree with @Pedro.
He should have stayed…ambiguous on the issue until the election. This was not a calculated move. I believe Mr. Obama has subtly done all he can for us(more than all the other presidents combined),keeping in mind that he couldn’t afford to lose a lot of the Hispanic and Black vote. He had our vote, even before this statement so it’s my thought that this wasn’t to gain votes he didn’t have before. This was finally his honest opinion on the subject, although he was forced into admitting it because of all the pressure since Biden announced his own support. It was an admirable statement but BAD timing. I wish him the best and will support him until the end as I would’ve done otherwise, but I fear what this will mean for his campaign.
pedro
@Andy: Well vote for Romney and be contented. His action will certainly speak very loudly! He will sign the reinstatement of DADT, he will push his AG to defend DOMA to the bitter end, He will appoint a couple of anti-gay justices to the supreme court…I’m sure he’s just the guy to get your support.
Kayak
He was always pro gay marriage people. You have to understand politics, if you want to win and make right in this so wrong world, you have to play your cards. We don’t live in Utopia, lot’s of people are motivated by fear and hate, not everybody is a good person so you can’t just preach rainbows and sunshine. Gotta play it right.
FrankWhite
@Andy: Exactly, that’s why I think he should have said nothing. You can’t make some gay people happy so if I were him I wouldn’t have even tried. I guess gay people can’t do anything but bitch,whine, and complain. I really hope this doesn’t cast him his re-election bid.
JDXH
@Michael W.: SEE, THAT’S THE PROBLEM!! GAYS LIKE YOU WHO JUST SIT BACK AND WAIT TO “SEE” WHAT HAPPENS!!!
GET UP, DO SOMETHING!
WAKE THE F^CK UP!! THIS COUNTRY IS AGAINST US! AND WE HAVE THE POWER TO MOVE MOUNTAINS…ESPECIALLY AFTER ALL THAT WE HAVE BEEN THROUGH!!
A MAN WHO IS WILLING TO RISK HIS CAREER TO HELP YOU OUT DESERVES ALOT MORE…AND SO DOES TH COMMUNITY!!!
FrankWhite
*cost him his re-election bid*
BOB
SAY GOODBYE TO OBAMA AND SAY HELLO TO PRESIDENT ROMNEY.
tj
@ Michael W.
EXACTLY! I didn’t need this. I knew he supported gay marriage its almost like he was forced to “admit it” rather than coming out in support of it. The Romney campaign is feeling really good about their chances in NC right about now and seeing what Iowa did to those Supreme Court justices who supported marriage equality has me on edge. This helps us nowhere.
Andy
@pedro: Yeah, the usual lesser of two evils.
@FrankWhite: Sorry, that I expect actual results and not empty rhetoric. If you have the power to try to get rid of DOMA, then do it. Obama’s got zero chance of that now. It’s a nice gesture, but let’s not pretend anything will happen.
v
Yes, it could have been sooner. Yes, it may cost him votes. Yes, despite his new support people will still feel he hasn’t done enough. TAKE IT IN PEOPLE! Our country’s leader has done the right thing, he has sent a message that shows our leadership is taking the rights of citizens seriously. I am proud of President Obama.
v
#36JDXH got it right
1equalityUSA
Sometimes it just takes one voice to stop a bully. This may turn around for us. People are sick of the fighting and discriminatory verbiage that’s tearing our society apart. Sure NOM will have lemmings following them 40 years from now, just as any hate group can scrape up, but most Americans do not want discrimination and a voice such as Obama’s may be just the voice to change hearts. If our rights are taken away, who’s next?
FrankWhite
@Andy: Of course nothing will happen, that’s way he didn’t need to “come out” in favor of gay marrige. If the point was for it to be a nice gesture then he could have said nothing.
Guest
I will now not only donate to his campaign but be really really happy to do so!!!!
Belize
@Darling Nikki: “Do you think Hillary Clinton would’ve done this?
No.”
Out of all three of them during the campaign period, Hillary was the only one who stated blatantly that she supports gay marriage. McCain didn’t. Obama didn’t.
Belize
@FrankWhite: Or at the very least save it when the US is not in danger of being led by a Mormon nutjob.
Peter Fitz
I have a feeling that this will change many times before election day
I expect there will be backlash from both Black & Hispanic voters
and Obama will need to sooth them
Belize
@Andy: OK then. Let’s go with the alternative… who else can we vote for other than Obama?
Mike
You have to believe that there were some serious political calculations made before he came out on this. I would be shocked if he did this more for morality than politics. I have to believe that they think this is a winning situation.
I remember reading, back early this year, someone wrote how this would go down. I wish I could find the article.
1. He would attend fundraiser at gay couples with kids house: Check
2. One of his high ranking subordinates, shortly there after would come out in unambiguous favor of Marriage Equality: Check
3. The press would “corner” Mr Obama into making a declarative statement on the subject: Check
Well done, Mr. President. The air is just a bit sweeter tonight, now that I live in a country where I know my leader supports full civil rights for me.
shle896
There’s nothing surprising about this. He’s always been a huge advocate of the gay community (overturning of DADT and instructing his administration not to enforce DOMA)and I’ve long suspected he was personally in favor of marriage equality, too. I’m very proud of my president today. Very proud!
Franco
It’s a happy day after a not so happy yesterday.
Belize
He seriously did not have to do this. I think it was a very nice gesture but the possible price of that gesture is NOT worth it. He could’ve just saved it after the election. It’s not like LGBTs and pro-LGBTs are going to vote for Romney. I mean, come on.
JDXH
@Belize: IT’S NOT ABOUT THE VOTE ANYMORE!
IT’S ABOUT A MAN WHO KNOWS THAT WE NEED HIS HELP.
IT’S ABOUT MOST OF THIS COUNTRY TELLING PEOPLE LIKE YOU, THAT YOU ARE SECOND-RATE! THAT YOU ARE FILTH, THAT GOD HATES YOU, THAT YOU ARE A SINNER, THAT YOU HAVE AN IDENTITY CRISIS..
THAT YOU DESERVE TO BE PUT ON DISPLAY AND DESERVE THE PUBLIC LASHING FOR TRYING TO BE “NORMAL”
GET REAL ALREADY, FORGET ABOUT THE VOTE..
STAND UP AND FIGHT!
AxelDC
For the first time in US history, the President comes out in favor of gay equality. His predecessor made passing a Constitutional ban on gay marriage a corner stone of his re-election campaign, and Clinton signed the odious DOMA during his re-election campaign.
Finally, we have a President who supports us in his re-election year instead of attacking us.
AxelDC
@Belize: OMG, the cynicism and defeatism is sickening. Just say, “Thank you, Mr. President!” and be glad we have a friend in the White House.
1equalityUSA
Belize, I gave up on the Dems and refused to give money whenever an email was sent from DNC, saying., “Evolve and you will get LGBT support.” I told my spouse I wasn’t going to vote this year. Now I’m so filled with pride to be a Democrat. I’m so proud to be on the right side of history with a President courageous enough to stand up for all Americans, not just popular ones. They’ve earned my loyalty.
Dr Jeff
What a GREAT day it is when Obama and Cheney agree on the same thing!!! Now they both support gay marriage and believe it’s a state issue. CNN made a point of this on the air about two hours ago. So, to all you right-wing haters: think again about your views b/c Cheney supported this position publicly quite some time ago…. I guess during the time that Obama was still “evolving”.
It never ceases to amaze me the power of a Presidential election to change a person’s position.
Enclosed Carriage Specialist (Taxi Driver)
I am just happy that Republicans have to stop saying, “The President and I share the same views on SSM”. In that really arrogant way. This actually puts the Republicans on the defensive for a lot of people now.
Jay
I agree with Jeff4Justice. This also may have cost him the election.
Proud
Hey Obama-haters in the gay community, your life is about to get a little more lonely…move to West Virginia, you’ll find more people like yourself there…!!
nikz
i’ll just say….
congrats guys! first your vice president, and now obama himself? this is really amazing !
😀
usa is really changing for the better^^ i’m really happy for this 😀
i wont even comment on any cynics in here….i dont wanna waste a comment :S
-scandinavian LGBT teen.
Addyboo
I haven’t been Obama’s biggest fan, but I will give him props for finally going with his principals instead of making decisions for political gain. I honestly didn’t think he had it in him. I am also a new Joe Biden fan. If it weren’t for the VP, whom everyone thinks is a gaffe-spouting moron, this wouldn’t be happening.
Dorothea from Germany
@nikz: “usa is really changing for the better”
Yeah, now they just need to stop the killing of people!
Shannon1981
For once, let’s not be cynical! Celebrate, especially in the wake of Amendment One and that stunt in Colorado. Love you, Barack Obama!
OBAMA 2012!
[email protected]
President Lincoln was not pro-Black. He just felt that slavery was wrong and with the Emancipation Declaration, he could energize the North to finish his work. President Obama (another Illinois President) may not be pro-LGBT…but I believe that he is for everyone’s right to marry and other LGBT civil rights. So if his declaration energizes the LGBT crowd, which helps him get re-elected…it is a win-win situation.
NYGMATGM
@Dr Jeff: “I guess during the time that Obama was still “evolving””
Yeah, the difference is Cheney was no longer in office, is one of the most reviled people in the nation, and can’t ever leave the country for fear of being indicted for war crimes. He had absolutely nothing to lose when he came out in support of equality.
Wkp
Maybe Obama should inform his Department of Justice so they’ll end all of their homophobic responses to ENDA
Wkp
Sry, meant DOMA
austinwondo
Thank you, Mr. President!
Dave
@cam jeff4jutice is not advocating for the republican party a simple reading of what he wrote would tell anyone that @jeff4justice right now many people are to afraid to vote third party and the ones that should vote third party (those persons fed up with by the constant dysfunction and lack of leadership) feel as though nothing will change. You also eluded to peoples perception that a third party candidate could not win the presidency, then you claim yes they could. @everyone This sounds impossible, but should a third party receive 10% or more of the popular vote in the presidential election that party becomes entitled to the same federal funds as the other parties in the next election. So if you vote third party candidate they might not win, but they don’t need to. They only need 10% and 10% of the popular vote is believable. Also third party votes are a way for our “leaders” to attempt to asses the attitudes of increasingly important independent voter.
In summation as long as they support equality (even tepidly if that’s all we can get) vote for whoever you vote for but VOTE.
B
http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2012/0509/Obama-supports-gay-marriage-Historic-switch-carries-risks/%28page%29/2 has an interesting comment at the very end:
‘Social conservatives also weighed in quickly over Obama’s statement.
‘“The charade is finally up,” said religious conservative leader Gary Bauer in a statement. “We’ve always known that Barack Obama supports same-sex marriage. With every action he’s taken, from court appointments to his rhetoric, he’s been preparing the way to undermine traditional marriage. Obama’s finally made that support explicit.”’
TRANSLATION: Since they have “always known”, there’s little reason to believe that Obama’s statement would cause their vote to change – they will vote against him regardless.
Meanwhile, Obama has set himself up as a candidate who is serious about promoting “change”, whether you believe in it or not. His statement on same-sex marriage will likely be viewed positively by his supporters, who may react by putting in some extra effort to get him re-elected.
Spike
Let the Civil War begin. If Romney is elected president, we can thank all the whiney gays and lesbians for pushing President Obama to take a side on this matter. Won’t matter once Romney is in the position to appoint the next supreme court nominee, say goodbye to all of our rights and hello christian Taliban!
jeff4justice
I refuse the false dilemma of picking either of the corporately controlled 2party tyrants.
I empathize with Romney fears. Yeah, he’s evil. I know. Obama is evil too and he’s just more discrete and savvy about it.
Obama & his needless wars = literal war on woman though drone attacks
Obama & the Democrat war on medical marijuana = war on breast caner fighters and HIV+ people
Obama & the Democrat war on protestors rights = war on LGBTs
Obama & the Democrat war on immigrants = war on people of all walks of life
Obama & the anti-choice Democrat war on women = half-assed health care bill
Obama & 2party system war on the environment = appointing people from Monsanto to the FDA, pipeline, and rearranging nuclear standards after the Japanese nuclear crisis (enjoy your radiation America).
Obama & 2party system war on Americans = NDAA and killing of citizens without trial
Not voting for an alternative party because of the greater of evils fears is equivalent to the nonsense of the fearful people who bitched when Gavin Newsome took on marriage in 2004. Just like the fearful people who bitched when Ted Olson & David Boise took on Prop 8. Just like the liberals who ignored 100% pro-equality Democrats Al Sharpton in 2004 and then Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel in 2008.
Dr. Jill Stein, Gary Johnson, Rocky Anderson, Roseanne Barr, or Stephen Durham are better than Obama.
Being afraid to vote for alternative party is was worthless of gays afraid of insisting on marriage equality, or woman and racial minorities afford to fight for ht right to vote. There are always oppressed people ok with the back of the bus for their futile fear-based reasons.
Idealism and the rejection of fear gave us the civil rights movement, the right for woman to vote, the LGBT rights movement, and Occupy.
Idealism and the rejection of fear was MLK standing up to LGBT on the Vietnam war.
Idealism can also emancipate us from the abuser/victim cycle between voters and the corporately-controlled 2party tyranny of war and poverty.
Brian
I don’t really see where he said anything that mind-blowing. He’s not going to make gay marriage legal – he can’t, and probably wouldn’t even if he could. He basically said that he agrees we should be able to marry – but that it’s not his problem to fix. Well three cheers & a tiger for him. Lots of people feel that way. He also said that he feels it’s the individual states’ right to make it legal or illegal, and that’s clearly the world’s biggest cop-out. If interracial marriage had remained on a state-by-state basis, his parents’ marriage still wouldn’t be legal all over the South. Has that parallel escaped him?
jeff4justice
@Dave: Amen.
J Stratford
OK. Obama LOST voters today. Let’s support him any way we can now that he is clearly on our side because he will definitely need all the help he can get come November!
I was for Ron Paul, now I am for Obama.
Jim Hlavac
Yeah, right. He all for gay marriage he says, now. Except he also says he’s all for the states being allowed to decide and if they say no, then he’s all for that too. So he’s for and against gay marriage where it’s convenient for him. Then, too, he’s all for federal action on everything. He’s against individual states doing anything on their own. But when it comes to gay marriage all of a sudden he’s an old time state rights conservative. Egads, can’t we see the pandering?
Schlukitz
@Robert in NYC:
Robert, this a momentous day in history. I am so proud of our President, and I know that you are to.
Schlukitz
I could have sworn that I typed a double o in too….Oh well. LOL
jason
LOL. Obama’s 2 days late. Where was he before the North Carolina vote? This is yet another politically calculated statement to stem the flow of votes away from him. He’s a fake, as if you didn’t already know it.
Meanwhile, what is Obama going to do to end DOMA and enact ENDA? Not a word from him on that.
1equalityUSA
#74 Brian, It’s a step in the right direction. At least we have a candidate that believes in equality for all U.S. Citizens. He’s not a dictator and cannot wave a wand to make bigotry disappear overnight, but at least he acknowledges our plight. Legally, we have legs to stand on. If our rights are trampled over and withheld, this will set a precedence for other “unpopular” American citizens. I’ve never been prouder of a politician and I’m half of an antique! At least he genuinely spoke his mind. Romney is a blathering idiot. Romney is nuts. Romney will be his own undoing. He just can’t help himself. He should not be President of the United States because he’s spineless and out of touch and cruel to family dogs. Romney will not win.
brian
It took Obama two days to evolve. He looked at the latest polls and saw that he’s going to lose. Nuff said.
jason
1equalityUSA,
It’s a politically calculated decision by Obama. It’s about as genuine as when he said that he was our “fiercest advocate” 4 years ago. Don’t fall for it.
Don’t be a gullible, useful idiot.
pedro
@jason: Do you understand the American system of Government? Obama can do neither of those things…
jason
Unfortunately, a lot of gay men are interested in Oprah moments and shout-outs rather than genuine reform. It’s indicative of a fakeness in our community. This fakeness can be seen in how we idolize fake women and fake singing – ie men dressed as women who mime songs on stage.
Obama is one such fake who is admired by the fakes in our community. Do you seriously believe that there is going to be any reform under him? He’s failed to enact ENDA, something he can do by executive order.
jason
Pedro,
The Democrats had a supermajority in Congress for about 18 months. During that time, Obama failed to enact any pro-gay legislation.
bruce
It’s all about the fundraising, stupid. Obama’s statements are cynically calculated to bring in the donations. Just as he said he was going to be our fierce advocate in the lead-up to the previous election, he’s now made another hollow statement in the lead-up to the next election.
If you’re stupid enough to believe him, go right ahead.
joedee1969
PEOPLE PEOPLE WE ARE WAY TOO SMART TO FALL FOR THIS!!! DO NOT BELIEVE THIS!!!!! OUR FAVORITE BEAR HAS GOT THIS RIGHT!!
http://americaspeaksink.com/2012/05/barack-obamas-bullshit-gay-marriage-announcement/
Andy
@Belize: You can always not vote if there are no candidates that are any good. You don’t have to vote for evil. Both big parties are awful on a whole host of issues, not just gay stuff.
Unless ObamaRomney come out against war, drug prohibition, the security state, I will most likely vote for Gary Johnson, the new Libertarian nominee. The Libertarians have either been too dogmatic or outright stupid (like nominating a social conservative in 2008), but this time they picked a guy who has actual real world experience. I’m somewhat excited.
@jason: Bingo! When it counted, they did nothing. Obama’s support for gay marriage is a calculated move to only get the Democratic base re-energized as there is absolutely no hope of repealing DOMA with a GOP House.
B
No. 80 · jason wrote, “LOL. Obama’s 2 days late. Where was he before the North Carolina vote?”
EARTH TO JASON: Obama opposed North Carolina Amendment One before Tuesday’s vote on it. Check out http://www.wral.com/news/state/nccapitol/story/10866062/ for an article on about Obama’s opposition to Amendment One. While the article is lacking a date, comments on the article are dated March 21 (for the latest comment), which indicates that the article was written earlier.
http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/political-animal-a/2012_04/obama_and_amendment_one036897.php has an article dated April 24, 2012 indicating that Obama had opposed Amendment One.
Derek Williams
@bruce: What you say shows poor logic and a lamentable ignorance of ordinary arithmetic.
LGBT are a mere 4% of the population (2004 and 2008 US Census exit polls), therefore this statement by the President is totally unnecessary to “bring in the donations”, and will more than likely have the exact opposite effect overall.
He would be far better advised to attack gays, back DOMA, reverse DADT repeal disavow the White House Memorandum on LGBT Rights and thus appeal to the heterosexual 96% of the population.
Truth to tell, it wouldn’t matter what Obama or anyone did for us, you would always find some way to sneer. Contemptuous, cynical attitudes like yours are one of the many reasons people hate us so intensely.
It is not politicians’ responsibility, it is LGBT’s job to win the hearts and minds of the general population through exemplary citizenship, morality, industry, honesty, productivity and ordinary human kindness. We expect far too much of politicians.
jason
Derek Williams,
I think the political gay community might be 4% but male-male sexuality is a spectrum and covers many more people than that. In fact, I think that 80-90% of men have some form of same-sex attraction.
Moreover, I can’t believe that you would fall for Obama’s sudden evolution on this. It’s election year, sweetie. He could use all the cash he can get. Don’t underestimate the stupidity of gay people who would throw good money after bad.
In any case, Obama will be out of power in about 7 months time, so his comments on gay marriage are pretty pointless.
Jollysocks
To all who are nervous — get with the program. The President made a huge, historic decision in our favor. It’s so massive that it frightens some of you — guess what people, the time has come to play offense, not defense; to take our rights instead of have them taken away. The time has come to stand with the President, not stand with the doubters, the haters, and lunatic fringe. We have NEVER had a sitting US President on board with our full equality — this will not only send a message to the youth of America, but the youth of the world. Let go of your fear, get out your wallet and donate, and fight for the President like your lives depend on it, because they very well may.
Derek Williams
@jason: This 90% of the male population who are supposedly according to you lusting after each other is doing a first class job of disguising it, when you consider that 30 US states have enacted laws against same sex marriage, North Carolina just passed an amendment to its constitution outlawing recognition of any relationship outside of heterosexual marraige, and California has Proposition 8 that did the same, plus there are more on the way.
There is nothing “sudden” about this. The President has been consistent in his ‘evolution’ and by the way, has been continuously attacked by LGBT for being too slow, but by everyone else for being the Gay President. This is a no-win predicament for any politician.
Obama’a best move would have been simply to avoid any comment on gay issues, just like every president before him. They all managed to get elected just fine while being anti-gay, like Bush.
I can only repeat that catty and mean spirited comments demean those who utter them, and undermine our cause completely.
jason
Jollysocks,
Utter nonsense. Nothing the President said changes anything. He did not enact any pro-gay legislation, he did not sign a pro-gay executive order.
The only thing he has done is to convince the useful gay idiots to part with their cash, which is exactly what he wants. Don’t be fooled.
FrankWhite
@Belize: I agree with you man. I STILL would have voted for him even if he would have said nothing.
jason
Derek,
Yes, I’m sure Obama has done his best to stop states enacting anti-gay amendments\sarcasm off.
Obama is simply a spectator with limited power. The only power he really has is to issue an executive order. He has not issued ONE pro-gay executive order in his whole time as President. Not one.
For a President who claims to be pro-gay but to refuse to issue one pro-gay executive order – well, that speaks volumes.
Derek Williams
@Jollysocks: I agree with you wholeheartedly. Negative comments come from people who can’t be bothered to do anything and just sit in their armchairs poking fun and criticizing those who can and do try to make a difference.
All change starts with an idea, and someone articulating that idea, and through that motivating others. It has been through such public representations that great statesmen and women have effectuated change across human history.
You are right. The time has come to take the offensive and stop being offensive.
Aaron
@jeff4justice:
You sound like the kind of person who wears a Tin-Foil Hat and Che Guevara T-Shirt. Being so needlessly didactic doesn’t win anybody over.
I say this as a Social Democrat and Green Party supporter.
@Dorothea from Germany: Because pretentious talking down to Americans like that really makes us want to foster more relations with Europe! Oh, and you want shitty human rights? European treatment of Romani. Nuff’ said.
To the people decrying that Romney will create some brutal theocracy…. that’s not how government works.
Oh yeah…. the original topic. I’m very happy about this. That’s all that really needs to be said.
Derek Williams
@jason: Executive orders are a very poor way of effectuating social change. That was why for example it was always better to let DADT Repeal go to Congress and let the people participate in bringing about this reform. That way, there is public debate and individuals who are harmed by the policy get a chance to change the hearts and minds with their personal stories. DADT Repeal was a stunning victory precisely because it was not enacted by an Executive Order, which could easily be repealed by an incoming Republican administration.
The President is not a king, but Barack Obama is a politically smart man, who has done far more for us than any president in history. Apart from DADT Repeal, there was the historic Clinton address to the UN, that carried great risk because of Islamic opposition, orphaning of DOMA, HRC addresses, “It Gets Better” videos by Obama and Biden, White House Memorandum on LGBT Rights. There is a lot more, but I can see it is lost on you.
JDXH
@jason: You seem pretty fake yourself.
Self-hate much?
iDavid
As Whoopi Goldberg said when O’bama was elected “I feel like I can finally unpack my bags.”
jason
Derek Williams,
Executive orders might not be perfect but they’re a start. Obama has failed to issue any pro-gay executive during his term as President.
Statements and symbols don’t achieve anything. Real progress happens at the legislative level. Obama has failed us on all but the DADT count. Even then, he had to be dragged into signing it.
As I said, Obama’s chosen role is that of a statement-issuing spectator. Nothing will come of it at the legislative level. However, he will enjoy the cash that comes streaming in from the gullible gays.
bruce
Derek,
It gets better videos? LOL. Anyone can make a video, hon.
If it’s getting better, why are more and more states banning gay marriage?
JDXH
HERE IN NYC, WE FOUGHT HARD TO GET OUR MARRIAGE EQUALITY!
ALL THE WAY BACK TO THE STONEWALL RIOTS, WE HAVE TAKEN OVER NEIGHBORHOODS AND MADE HOMES FOR OURSELVES IN THE STREETS, COMMUNITIES AND THE ELITE!
WE FOUGHT, PRESSED OUR OFFICIALS AND DIDN’T TAKE “NO” FOR AN ANSWER..
WE PICKETED AND WE FUND-RAISED TO GET WHERE WE ARE TODAY.
I’LL BET THAT ALL THESE NEGATIVE COMMENT POSTERS DON’T DO $HIT FOR THEIR STATES..
YOUR SHOULD BE GLAD THAT OBAMA SPOKE UP FOR YOUR WEAK ASSES!
STAND UP AND FIGHT.
Al
Look at all the Log Cabin shits losing their heads. haha!
Andy
http://gawker.com/5909002/barack-obamas-bullshit-gay-marriage-announcement
Barack Obama’s Bullshit Gay Marriage Announcement: On this afternoon’s special broadcast, Jake Tapper echoed that point: “The president said he thought this was a state-by-state issue.”
Ah, so yes, it’s election year bullshit.
Andy
@bruce: Yeah, listing an It Gets Better video would make even the most shameless college application inflator blush.
Derek Williams
@jason: There may be “gullible gays” willing to fund the Obama campaign, but they’re dwarfed by Republican led big business and the evangelical Christian right, and just watch the cash dry up from the not-so-gullible homophobic Christian African Americans, and the votes evaporate along with them.
Executive orders can be vetoed by Congress and reversed by an incoming Republican administration and are the laziest way of bringing about change in existence. That’s why they’re normally procedural and in keeping with existing public sentiment and legislation. Executive orders are not at all appropriate for effectuating social change. That is always best done by winning over the people through the Legislature.
It is absolutely not the President’s job to transform America from being a bible-bashing nation of bigots into queer-loving saints by the stroke of a presidential pen.
If you don’t believe statements mean anything then I assume you don’t mind people yelling out homophobic slurs at you across the street and religious nutjobs saying all gays go to hell or that we should all be shot. Just words according to you, and therefore meaningless.
Well the Constitution is just words too, and so are laws. It is how they’re complied with that makes the difference. Laws work only when the majority believe they are fair and just.
I’m afraid sneering at Obama says more about your lack of political acumen than it does about his LGBT reform credentials.
JDXH
@bruce: BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE YOU, WHO ARE IGNORANT AND DON’T DO ANYTHING TO HELP.
SC
Jason is a lunatic. Get murdered, dumb fuck.
DouggSeven
This would’ve been nice to say oh, I don’t know – 2 days ago?
Derek Williams
@bruce: Well if anyone can make a video, why don’t you? And you completely misunderstand and misrepresent the “It Gets Better” campaign, which was not designed to represent US as a gay paradise where even gays can marry other gays. Its intent was to try and convince LGBT children to think again before they pick up Daddy’s gun, or throw a noose round their neck in Granny’s barn, or swallow Mama’s sleeping pills. For most of the folks in those videos, including myself it did get better.
You pour cold water on everything that people are doing to try and make things get better, while offering nothing more than the simplistic solution of an Executive Order. I can only hope you are not in any direct position to influence policy, or we will be in reverse gear in a heartbeat.
I think it’s time to cease this “conversation”. I’ll let you have the last word.
The Real Mike in Asheville
@jeff4justice: While I am just delighted and offer my thanks to the president, I, nonetheless, love the enthusiasm of your sincerity of your views. Cheers.
ChristopherM
@jason: how stupid are you? Seriously. ENDA cannot be enacted by executive order. It’s called separation of powers you nut job.
Chuck
It’s okay. Nobody will vote for Romney anyway. Not even Christians. All regular Christians HATE mormons.
I won't grow up
This man is like every other politician, he will say anything to be re-elected and then flip-flop. Anyone who believes otherwise is delusional. Now go ahead and attack me,because I’m a realist and won’t drink the kool-aid.
William Hamilton
I am a citizen of the United States of America.
I have pledged my allegiance to the United States of America.
I am a Navy Veteran of the Viet Nam era and served in the military of the United States of America.
I took an oath to protect and defend the constitution of the United States of America.
I am not a citizen of the state that I reside in.
I have not now, nor will I ever pledge my allegiance to any one of the 50 states that I may reside in.
I am not now, nor will I ever be a member of any military of any one of the 50 states.
I will never take an oath to protect and defend the constitution of any one of the 50 states.
I am vehemently opposed to state’s rights and I will go to extreme measures to fight against state’s rights!
I demand that the laws in the state of Maine be exactly the same as the laws in California and every other state.
I am vehemently opposed to any state imposing laws or requirements restricting a citizen’s right to vote.
I am anti-Semitic, anti-Christian, anti-Buddhist, anti-Muslim and anti-religion in general.
I demand strict separation of church and state!
It is clear that Black People will not vote for the Republican Party therefore, the Republican Party is promoting Strict voter ID laws so that Black people can’t vote at all.
Today, May 9th, 2012 President Obama came out in support of Gay Marriage.
I never donate to political campaigns! Now however, I will send Gay Dollars in support of the Obama/Biden team. Not since the Stonewall riots on June 28th, 1969 has there been an event of such great importance to the GLBT community. A handful of pist off “Drag Queens” led the way from the Stonewall! Now it’s time for all of us to put up or shut up.
Derek Williams
@I won’t grow up: I cannot see what you hope to gain by disparaging the President’s statement. The only other choices were for him either to say he does NOT support marriage equality or to continue to ‘evolve’.
Given those are the only alternatives, and you condemn his statement, I can only conclude you would rather Barack Obama had not supported marriage equality, and therefore are probably a Republican stooge.
Josh
It’s not in the clip, but in the news story about the interview, the writer said that Obama still believes that it should be up to each state to decide for itself. So basically, he’s pro gay marriage, but also doesn’t care if it ever actually happens.
AxelDC
@BOB: What a childish and defeatist response. Apparently you don’t believe Gallup Polls that show marriage equality is supported by a majority of voters, over 70% of Democrats and over 60% of Independents. Only Republicans have 22% support.
AxelDC
@Josh: Respecting due process is not the same as apathy.
Derek Williams
@AxelDC: That’s all very well, but 30 states have enacted laws that outlaw same sex marriage, and two have enshrined this in constitutional amendments, the most recent being North Carolina by a substantial majority.
So you are right that we should not be defeatist, but we should also not underestimate the potential electoral consequences for Obama. It’s still a first past the post system.
R.A.
@jeff4justice:
Jeff,
There are two choices.
One candidate is for us and the other is our enemy.
If you hate yourself enough to elect Romney, that’s your problem.
Timmeeeyyy!!!
For those who think this move is political suicide, a Wall Street Journal recent poll showed 49% of voters (400 republicans, 400 democrats) in favor of marriage equality and 40% opposed. Many other polls show similar results. Among young voters the numbers are even higher (74% of 18-22 yr old democrats, 61% of 18-22 yr old independents). Marriage equality is actually supported by a majority of Americans. Democrats have announced that they will spend most of their money on grassroots efforts and social media to get out the vote, rather than spending on traditional media like TV spots. These efforts will bring out a younger vote. If any of you think this is such a bad move, just check your Facebook page. FB is exploding with positive reactions to Obama’s support of marriage equality.
Derek Williams
@Timmeeeyyy!!!: While these figures are encouraging they are no cause for complacency. We still face laws against marriage equality in a majority of US states, and two constitutional amendments banning it permanently.
This is the time to put our money where our mouth is.
Timmeeeyyy!!!
@Derek Williams:
Derek, I so agree with you. And I think with this and future announcements, Obama may be able to energize his base which was feeling kinda “meh” about the upcoming election.
TanyaHyde
@No. 48 · Peter Fitz:
I want to call you a troll or ignorant. But I will reframe from doing so.
You still cling to the anti-gay black and Hispanic stereotype. Pretty obtuse when it is clear that no one has had a more effective assault on gay rights than white, right-wing religious types. More money, more organization and a Republican Party that has arms open wide for them
There are legions of black and Hispanic people who support gay rights. And for every one of them, there are many more whites who do not.
Just in case you failed to notice; the POTUS – a dark man – made clear his support for gay marriage.
Please pull your head out of your……sandbox.
You are not helping anyone.
Sheesh!
??
It is great!!!!!It is very important for all gay people in the world.
James Lawless
I’ll belive him when he pushes for the repeal of DOMA.
Addyboo
@TanyaHyde… You are a fool if you think there is no anti-gay bias in the black and Latino communities. Exit polls showed that socially-conservative blacks were a major reason why Proposition 8 failed in California. I think it’s safe to say the same thing happened in North Carolina this past week. Blacks are predominantly very religious (Baptist, AME, Jehovah’s Witnesses), as are Hispanics (mostly Catholic), and their religion dictates that homosexuality is an abomination. I am not discounting white right-wingers’ homophobia, but they are not the only social conservatives. And to say that blacks and Hispanics are supportive of us simply because they are minorities too, is disingenuous.
Guest
His announcement inspired me to send reelection money. I sent it to:
President Barack
Obama for America
PO Box 802798
Chicago IL, 60680-4263
I got the address off of an envelope requesting donations in my mail.
I am sending $ tomorrow.
Kev C
Now he’ll have someone to blame when he loses in November.
Mk_Ultra_Again
I’m telling you all right here, right now.
Not only will Obama will the election by a landslide, and I do mean it won’t be even close, but in his first 100 days of re-election, he will do more for gay rights than anyone could expect.
jeff4justice
@R.A.: no@R.A.: no thanks
I reject your evil 2 party system.
Justifying obama’s wrongs makes you as lowly as. a GWB defender
DouggSeven
@William Hamilton: “Not since the Stonewall riots on June 28th, 1969 has there been an event of such great importance to the GLBT community.”
I don’t think it’s that big of a deal in the grand scheme of things. Ellen coming out on her show had more of an impact on gay acceptance than this. This screams ‘let the games begin’ in terms of Obama’s re-election. Which I don’t oppose mind you, but the timing is a bit late for it to have an impact in many areas.
Brand
So proud to be living in this country at this time, so proud of my vice president, Joe Biden, and my president, Barack Obama! You guys remain an inspiration. Thank you! Of course I was going to vote the whole Democratic ticket this fall anyway, because I’m not just gay I’m a sentient being who’s seen what’s been going on all my life. But now I am going to do more than vote, I have donated and will do more when I can.
Geoff B
As a right leaning Independant, I will give credit where credit is due. Thank you Mr. President. It was a risky move to do what you did at this time and I respect that. While he may lose some votes because of this, I think he will reenergize younger voters and push some voters who were on the fence (like me) to his side. I wish third and fourth party candidates were a viable option right now (I really like Gary Johnson), but they just aren’t right now. Unless Romney tells the Christian Right to fuck off by November, Obama has my vote.
Me
Uh, read between the lines. Did you all miss the part about how he believes it should be “up to the states to decide”? How does that make him any different than any other segregationist? If “the states” had their way, Obama’s mother and father would not have been legally recognized as married in many of them when Obama was a child. Also, separate lunch counters and public swimming pools would be the rule for blacks and whites. What was Obama thinking (as a constitutional legal scholar) when he stupidly said that?
Now, the proponents of Prop 8, as well as other state anti-equality movements, have more fuel to fire up their justification for constitutional amendments to ban our marriages. Marriage is a federal right (not just a state right), as the US Supreme Court decided very clearly in Loving v. Virginia in 1967. What is wrong with Obama to have remarked so foolishly that “the states should decide” who is popular enough to have equal rights? What a fucking moron.
Brand
I ask all the dozens and dozens of tireless cynics in this thread who aren’t secretly straight Republicans, or the Indian tech centers they surely outsource their dirty tricks to nowadays, to consider this angle, the last paragraph in a good and balanced editorial in The New York Times:
“A federal judge in California, supported by an appellate court panel, has ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage violates the 14th Amendment right to equal protection. That decision will probably reach the Supreme Court, and, when it does, we expect Mr. Obama, if he is still president, will take the final step in his evolutionary process and direct the Justice Department to support that ruling and urge the court to uphold equality in every state.”
Obama has already appointed two women who support the civil rights of gays (not to mention another woman at the State Department), and it is almost certain he will get the opportunity to appoint another one or two justices if he wins a second term. He will also be directing the Justice Department, led by his appointee. Unless, of course, we think we’ve got something better to do on election day, or throw away our vote as a protest and give it to a third-party candidate, or we like Mitt Romney’s smile. In that case, the person directing the Justice Department—arguing against a Supreme Court that presently has a conservative majority and would surely get more conservative if Obama is not reelected—will be Mitt Romney, Inc.
The vast majority of the advisers he has picked so far (an indication of a candidate’s cabinet and ideology) are from the administration of George W. Bush, and Romney is on the record as strongly wanting Congress to send him a bill to amend the U.S. Constitution to ban gay marriage. We need not only President Barack Obama to be reelected in order to stop that, we need to return more Democrats (and independents like Bernie Sanders) to Congress.
Geoff B
The thing is, this issue is going to go to the Supreme Court eventually. I’d rather have Obama be nominating justices than Romney. The Senate is probably going to stay with the Democrats (Maine and Mass will be wins there and there are a few Repubs who will cross party lines (Kirk, Collins, Graham,Brown if he manages to win). I kind of think Romney ks viewing the Christian Right as useful idiots right now and even the Libertarian faction of the Tea Party is divided over this issue, but it’s not a chance I’m willing to take. I’d rather support someone who is willing to take a chance for us, even if it would’ve been more prudent to wait, than someone who has taken a hard line against us even if he is just posturing.
Paul
@J: @J: After seeing your constant sour and bitter posts in not just this post, but many previous ones as well, I want to help you lift off that heavy chip on your shoulder .
Kl
“leaving it up to the states” is the chief statement to be scrutinised here. Just take a look at all states with constitutional bans against same-sex marriage. There NEEDS to be federal imposition here as it is a civil rights issue. I just don’t think that the American public, being so divided on an issue, will ‘evolve
In much the same way Mr Obama did. I do give him credit, and I hope he gets re-elected, but this “leaving it up to the states” is utter nonsense, and probably unconstitutional after rulings in the past regarding interracial couples.
Also, the Obama administration isn’t naïve to forfeit the election over this issue — there was much deliberation before I would hope…
Tackle
@Addyboo: This is the main reason why someone who does not understand racial voting numbers in California should NOT be commenting on it. The notion that exit polls showed that socially- conservative Blacks were the major reason why prop-8 passed in California is false and has been disproven. Many times…
The original 70% exit poll numbers showing Blacks in support of prop-8 was shown to be a mistake and was later revised(two weeks later) to around 58% of support of prop-8.
Whites makeup 40.1% of the population, yet account for 63% of all california voters.
Blacks makeup 6.2% and account for 9% of votes. Hispanics/Latino are 37.6% of the population and account for around 16% of California votes. Asians are 13% and account for 7% of the California electorate. If you to take the number of Black, Hispanic/Latino and Asian California electorate voters combined at 32%, it would still be well below the 63% of the White California voter electorate. Even with these numbers, you still have people who still want to blame blacks for the passage of prop-8.
Socially conservative Blacks had little if any roll in the passage for prop-8. The major blame would go to 45% of out-of-state doners(utah) and the Mormon Church, Church of Scientology, Southern Baptist and the Chatholic Church, all majority White, and all raising millions upon millions of dollars. And@Addyboo: and yes it’s wrong to say the same thing happend in North Carolina. The White population there is 68.5% while the Black population is 21.5% and make up a smaller number of voters. No you can’t blame the Blacks there. Just like you can’t blame Blacks in the 30 other states that have passed anti GLBT marriage amendments.
Larkin
@pedro:
Let me first quote what you wrote:
“It’s not about gay being bad, it’s about the political reality. I never thought Obama would be stupid enough to succumb to the(deserved) criticism he was receiving on this issue. I thought he was more of a political animal than that. I do not think this is calculated. I believe that Obama, being a biracial man (Yes he is not actually black), saw what happened in NC and reflected on his own parentage and how they would have been treated not so long ago, and that along with the pressure from gays and other liberals forced his hand on this issue. I think he will suffer greatly at the polls because of this. He will lose come November.”
Newsflash Einstein, the people who don’t like this wouldn’t have voted for him anyway. He’s lost nothing! It’s more amusing though that you think the president makes these decisions without being vetted by 12 other leaders and multiple polls.
mindy rodriguez
If I were gay, Obama’s change would not impress me at all. We all have speeches where he said marriage was a union between a man and woman…you see the people running his 2008 campaign told him that had to be his take on the subject. But he is just doing this now, not for you, but because the people running his 2012 campaign know Americans (gay or straight) are angry with him because he did not pass the Keystone Pipeline bill which we all need. And mainly because he didn’t want to upset hollyfools…but he did not do his research and Americans have…Julia Louis Dreyfus, member of the Louis Dreyfus Group family, was campaigning against Keystone…guess what? Did you ever see her campaign against the Louis Dreyfus Pipeline business???????? Never.
Dave
I agree Mindy Rodriguez. Obama can claim he’s LOL ‘evolved’ and is now for same gender marriage but his record and actions show he is not for same gender marriage or LGBT rights at all.
Mike
I agree with Me. Obama claiming that same gender marriage is up to states shows how he does not actually support it.
He’s a politician he’ll lie or say whatever he can just so he’ll get money, support, and votes and then do nothing of what he promises.
Robert in NYC
@Mike: As opposed to no republican candidate personally supporting it? Romney, who wants to get rid of equal marriage and civil unions, no domestic partnerships for gay couples either, just like what happened in NC, a move he strongly endorses. I’d take Obama any day over that hate-monger. At least the democrats no longer write anti-gay legislation, but republicans thrive on it. Gay people voting for republicans ought to be ashamed of themselves. Voting for them, you’r voting against yourselves. Sick if you ask me.
Schlukitz
@Robert in NYC:
Odd, is it not, Robert, how many LGBT people seem to enjoy shooting themselves in the foot?
Addyboo
@Tackle… My point remains the same. Black and Hispanic Americans everywhere are more socially conservative than not, and as such they (not all, but many) do not support gay marriage. In my post I did not discount the white vote, but you did discount the black and Latino vote. You can spout poll numbers and stats from anywhere to prove your point, just like I did. But the bottom line is the black and Latino vote did not help our cause. I’m saying white people aren’t the only people who don’t support gay rights. It’s not right to give anyone a pass on their bigotry regardless of their race. You should see some of the hurtful things my black friends are saying about this on Facebook. There is plenty of blame to go around, but you are only placing blame on one part of the problem, and that’s dangerous.
jeff4justice
@Aaron: Sticks & Stones. Try refuting with evidence.
Robert in NYC
@Schlukitz: Yes, indeed, Schlukitz! All of the naysayers will vote for a clown who doesn’t want them to have any semblance of equality. You know, even if the economy were booming, jobs plentiful, they’d still vote for him at any cost, even if it hurts their own interests just so that no democrat is ever in the White House, least of all a man of half African-American descent. Romney or any republican president will do NOTHING for LGBT people and will continue supporting inequality and discrimination against us.
Jackie
Robert in NYC, Obama isn’t exactly for LGBT rights or same gender marriage either even if the Obots want to pretend he is and always has been.
Why are you playing the race card? I don’t care if someone’s completely one race or if they are bi-racial like Obama is. This has nothing to do with anything.
Barefoot Accountant
I have become very disenchanted with President Barack Obama even though I voted for him in 2008.
1. He did not even propose the public option healthcare system: he had campaigned on that system, promising to propose it. (Wikipedia: ”President Barack Obama promoted the idea of the public option while running for election.[3] After becoming President, Obama downplayed the need for a public health insurance option including calling it a “sliver” of health care reform,[4] but had not given up pursuing the idea before the health care reform was passed.[5] The preceding statement is disputed by evidence that the Obama administration had agreed to drop the public option from the final plan in the summer of 2009[6] in a back room deal with representatives of the for-profit hospital lobby[7]“)
2. He has appointed countless Wall Streeters to his top economic team, failing to appoint labor voices like Robert Reich.
3. He has bailed out Wall Street instead of Main Street: remember TARP? And then the banks dispensed $6 billion in bonuses in that year to its executives.
4. He failed to attack the mortgage crisis, leaving an elephant still in our “room”, with one-third of home mortgages now underwater.
5. He failed to veto the National Defense Authorization Act, doing away with habeous corpus, allowing the government to arrest and detain indefinitely without a trial or hearing.
6. He agreed to an extension of the Bush tax cuts for the rich, and on top of that, he agreed to an egregious reduction of the estate taxes on the rich, exempting as much as $10 million from any estate taxes and lowering the estate tax rate down to a ridiculous rate of 35%, when our country has a $15 trillion debt. That alone saved the Walton heirs $17 billion in taxes.
7. He has failed to indict and imprison any of those banksters involved in all of that fraud on Wall Street from the subprime mortgage, including robo-signing, and selling shit-backed mortgage securities known to be worthless.
8. He appointed Jeffrey Immelt to head his Jobs Council when GE has been saying “China, China, China,” and shipping all jobs overseas while closing plants here in the US.
9. President Obama is now considering and proposing to lower the corporate tax rate to 26%, when corporations are not only at a low-time rate of paying taxes but getting billions in tax subsidies from our government and opening up offices on the 19th floor of one building on the Cayman Islands to avoid taxes altogether.
10. President Obama spoke in favor of PIPA and SOPA, when the internet is the last vestige of free speech and the availability of free information to the general public.
11. There were no indictments by President Obama of all the contractor fraud reported on by Bernie Sanders and Ron Paul in a Congressional Report released over a year ago. Whenever the rich and big corporations are caught in fraud, Eric Holder adopts a policy of “looking forward”, instead of holding them accountable.
12. President Obama agreed to the “grand bargain” (thank, God, Boehner did not accept it) to cut over $2 trillion in spending, including social security, medicare, medicaid, and other social safety-net programs merely in return for hypothetical “revenue increases” of $800 billion relying on “dynamic scoring”.
13. President Obama has done nothing to level the trade treaties, where corporations are shipping labor to Cambodia (22.5 cents per hour), China, Philippines, etc., where labor is paid 25 cents per hour. This is exporting slavery to other countries. Where is the level playing field for Americans?
14. President Obama in 2009 only proposed $140 billion in infrastructure spending when Paul Krugman and other economists predicted that $1.5 trillion was needed for our economy to recover. And last year only proposed a paltry $108 billion in infrastructure spending.
15. President Obama praised the recent JOBS Act, which allows corporations to go public and raise capital without audited financial information in their public presentations for the first five years, allowing them to present fictitious numbers and defraud investors?
16. President Obama has failed to propose the return of Glass-Steagall, separating commercial and investment banking, which will soon plunge us back into another mega-bailout of Wall Street.
17. President Obama has failed to propose the break up of the big banks and corporations. What ever happened to the Sherman Anti-Trust Act?
18. President Obama touted a $25 billion robo-signing settlement when a trillion dollars of our pension and retirement funds were stolen.
19. While campaigning, President Obama promised to put on his walking shoes for labor, but failed to even show up in Wisconsin and walk the picket line against Governor Walker.
20. President Obama has not declared war on the Supreme Court, as President Roosevelt did, to oppose the corporate/rich posture of Scalia, Kennedy, Thomas, Alito, and Roberts. Why not take them on?
21. President Obama has arrested and raided more marijuana users in less than four years than George Bush did in eight years. Why is President Obama proposing cuts to social security, medicare, and medicaid while spending more on marijuana arrests and raids, especially when a majority of Americans are for legalization of pot and for the open sale of marijuana for medical use?
Time and time again President Obama did not fight the good fight for working Americans, who are losing their jobs, health insurance, homes, dignity, etc.
I am tired of the lame excuse of how we must vote for Obama because of the Supreme Court. How can anyone believe that Obama would not disappoint progressives on that issue after he failed to undertake a recess appointment of Elizabeth Warren to head the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, a position to which she was more entitled to direct than any other American?
I am done with President Obama.
Barefoot Accountant
For a more complete list, see Hugh’s list at http://obamascandalslist.blogspot.com/2009/10/table-of-contents.html
1. Reneged on pledge to filibuster FISA Amendments Act (July 2008)
2. Lobbied for $700 billion Paulson TARP bank bailout
3. Pushed for no sanctions against Lieberman despite his support for John McCain
4. Nominated healthcare company lobbyist Tom Daschle as Secretary of HHS
5. Had neoliberal Robert Rubin as his chief economics adviser
6. Then had the equally neoliberal Larry Summers assume this role
7. Chose the failing upwards Timothy Geithner to head Treasury
8. AIG bonuses and money to Goldman under Obama
9. Doubling down in Afghanistan
10. Delay and reduction of withdrawal from Iraq
11. Moving Guantanamo activities to Bagram
12. Military commissions for some detainees
13. Support for indefinite detention
14. Refusal to release torture photos under FOIA
15. Refusal to investigate and prosecute Bush era criminality
16. Geithner’s DOA economic rescue programs: the PPIP and TALF
17. Minimal help for homeowners and no cramdowns
18. Treatment of Chrysler and GM with bankrupcy compared to bank no fail “stress tests”
19. Kabuki of TARP repayment by banks while still dependent on government credit lines
20. Extra-Constitutional use of the Fed by the Executive for fiscal policy
21. Credit Card bill without usury caps and with 9 month delay for other reforms
22. Business friendly Mary Schapiro named to head SEC
23. Gary Gensler who helped deregulate derivatives named to head CFTC
24. $787 billion stimulus: too little, too late, poorly structured
25. Use of financial crisis to attack Social Security and Medicare
26. The great healthcare non-debate
27. Continued use of state secrets argument in ongoing Bush era cases
28. Use of signing statements, including one to punish whistleblowers
29. Vetting process problems, especially tax related ones
30. Leaving Dawn Johnsen’s nomination to head OLC twisting in the wind
31. Eric Holder, failure to reform DOJ, not removing worst of Bush USAs
32. Failure to move against new oil bubble
33. Retention of Bush Defense team: Gates, Patraeus, and Odierno
34. Continued missile strikes inside Pakistan
35. Keeping Bush’s domestic spying programs and adding a new one, cybersecurity
36. Choice of Elena Kagan who favors expansive Presidential powers as Sollicitor General, her subsequent nomination to the Supreme Court
37. Leaving EFCA (to help counter anti-union companies) to wither in Congress
38. Welcoming Arlen Specter who brings nothing to the Democrats into the party
39. Weak ineffective proposals for financial reform
40. Obama wanted John Brennan at CIA but settled for making him his counter- terrorism adviser
41. Chas Freeman with broader Mideast perspective done in by AIPAC
42. Dennis Blair made DNI; failed to act to stop atrocities in East Timor
43. Choice of McChrystal involved in torture in Iraq to head Afghanistan command
44. Obama threat to suspend intelligence cooperation with UK over Binyam Mohamed case
45. Efforts to keep Bush and Obama White House logs secret
46. Playing games with “Don’t ask, don’t tell”
47. Filing a brief to overturn Jackson (access to lawyer) in the Montejo case
48. Not withdrawing Bush brief in Osborne DNA case
49. Egregious brief in challenge to Defense of Marriage Act
50. The Supplemental which made Iraq and Afghanistan Democratic wars
51. Choice of Rahm Emanuel as the President’s Chief of Staff
52. Choice of Dennis Ross as Iran envoy and then his move to the White House
53. Politically embarrassing processes to fill Obama and Clinton’s Senate seats
54. Choice of Bill Richardson, then Judd Gregg to head Commerce Department
55. Reneging on pledge to re-negotiate NAFTA
56. Obama’s throwing his pastor Jeremiah Wright to the curb, then reaching out to religious conservative Rick Warren
57. Continued challenges to habeas corpus petitions over indefinite detention, the Janko case
58. The Obama White House website
59. Continuing an ineffective program that Iran can exploit politically
60. Going slow on climate change when there is no time to
61. Not withdrawing a Bush-era amicus brief in the Ricci v. DeStefano reverse discrimination case and supporting a rollback of Title VII
62. Appointment of a CIA General Counsel who doesn’t know if waterboarding is torture
63. Appointment of a DNI General Counsel who doesn’t know if waterboarding is torture
64. CIA delay in a FOIA request concerning torture
65. The influence of Goldman Sachs in the Obama Administration
66. Attempt to keep secret the Cheney interview on the Plame affair
67. Mountaintop removal under Obama
68. Attempt to restrict Congressional notification on intelligence matters
69. Opposition to a second stimulus
70. Another egregious attempt to fight a habeas corpus petition in the Jawad case
71. Continuing charter schools and standardized tests
72. Holder’s decision to support a weak, narrow review of torture
73. Re-appointment of Ben Bernanke as Fed Chairman
74. Continuing renditions
75. Politically dubious company was used to vet reporters in Afghanistan
76. Judge vetoes a too weak SEC plea bargain with Bank of America
77. Justice’s argument for making Bagram a new Guantanamo, the al Maqaleh case
78. Defense to turn over databases to poorly controlled fusion centers
79. Obama changes but keeps Bush’s Star Wars program
80. Failure to win an Israeli freeze on settlements
81. White House refuses to back its own staffer environmentalist Van Jones
82. Politicized US Attorney in the Siegelman case cleared by Office of Special Counsel
83. Criticism of Iranian nuclear program; support of Israeli nuclear weapons
84. Support for a weakened reporter’s shield law
85. Use of the Zazi case to retain broad Patriot Act surveillance provisions
86. Wilner v. NSA, continuing the coverup of warrantless surveillance of communications between attorneys and detainees
87. Attempt to spike the Goldstone report on Israeli-Hamas war crimes in Gaza
88. Slowness in filling federal judgeships
89. Inadequate aid to overwhelmed state budgets
90. Attempting to dodge the Supreme Court deciding whether innocent Guantanamo detainees can be resettled in the US
91. Allowing drilling in the waters off the north coast of Alaska
92. Keeping detainee accounts of CIA torture secret
93. Current FBI manual allows for widespread domestic spying
94. Securitization invalidates most foreclosures
95. Geithner wanting unlimited powers to save large banks
96. Another state secrets defense to conceal domestic spying
97. Circuit Court dismissal of Maher Arar suit
98. Weakening Sarbanes-Oxley and calling it financial reform
99. Unemployment
100. Inspector General for Fannie and Freddie ousted for investigating fraud
101. Gaming courts to convict Guantanamo detainees
102. White House counsel removed for his principled stands on torture and Guantanamo
103. US seizes mosques claiming Iranian connection
104. Howard Dean removed as head of the DNC
105. Scientist with close ties to Monsanto put in charge of all governmental agricultural research
106. Pesticide lobbyist nominated as Chief Agricultural Negotiator for trade
107. Effort to let some government contractors avoid paying taxes
108. A bad US Attorney nomination for Northern Iowa
109. Hunger in America
110. The breast cancer recommendations fiasco
111. Ongoing confusion and disorganization in the military commissions process
112. Phillip Carter another official in closing Guantanamo resigns
113. Refusal to sign anti-land mine treaty
114. The Ghizzawi case and the legal limbo of “cleared for release”
115. Black prisons at Balad and Bagram
116. Delay in declassifying historic documents
117. Max Baucus’ conflicts of interest in healthcare and with his girlfriend
118. Major security breach at a White House party and a ridiculous assertion of “executive privilege”
119. Dana “Pig Missile” Perino nominated to the Broadcasting Board of Governors
120. Cass Sunstein, an anti-regulator in a regulatory position
121. Warrantless for profit electronic surveillance by telecoms and search engines
122. The government sides with torture lawyer John Yoo and attacks Bevins actions again
123. The TSA publishes its security manual online
124. Toxic legal arguments in al Zahrani v. Rumsfeld, yet another Bevins action
125. The Nobel Peace Prize and a neocon acceptance speech
126. Blackwater’s involvement in military and CIA assassination and drone programs
127. Congressional Research Service censorship in the firing of Morris Davis
128. AIG writes off $25 billion in debt and sticks taxpayers with the bill
129. The Administration plays hardball to kill an amendment that would lower drug costs
130. A poorly considered blank check to Fannie and Freddie
131. Continuing a Bush botch in the Nisoor Square massacre case
132. Jonathan Gruber, a major defender of Obamacare was also a paid consultant for it
133. A Geithner related cover up of the AIG at par payments on swaps
134. Adoption of stealth signing statements
135. al Bihani, more bad legal reasoning in another Guantanamo habeas case
136. Cutting Medicare and Social Security by deficit commission proposed
137. A 3 year non-freeze budget freeze proposed
138. NASA flights privatized
139. OPR report on Yoo and Bybee watered down and its relation to the Padilla case
140. Government targeting of US citizens for assassination
141. Abuse of informants by ICE agents
142. Obama leaves Privacy and Civil Liberties Oversight Board empty
143. Obama backs firing of teachers in Rhode Island
144. Irish human rights advocate Edward Horgan has US visa pulled
145. Threatened veto of 2010 Intelligence Authorization Act over Congressional notifications
146. Obama Administration intimidation of whistleblowing site: wikileaks
147. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to ignore science on endangered species
148. Senate vacation more important than jobless benefits
149. Government seeks to compel turnover of emails without a warrant
150. Obama goes after an NSA whistleblower: the Thomas Drake case
151. Obama goes after a CIA whistleblower: the James Risen case
152. Weakening Miranda rights in national security cases
153. Advocating the privatizing of public housing
154. Another step in making Bagram the new Guantanamo, the al Maqaleh case, the appeals court edition
155. Massey mining disaster, 29 die because of corporate greed and poor regulation
156. Obama proposal for a line item veto
157. A military commander allowed to use military forces for intelligence operations without Presidential approval
158. Political pandering in sending 1200 National Guardsmen to the Southwest border
159. A sad record on resisting Guantanamo habeas petitions
160. Israel attacks an aid convoy for Gaza; Obama punts
161. A further erosion of Miranda: Berghius v. Thompkins
162. Naming James Clapper, a Bush appointee, to be the next DNI
163. DOJ seeks to protect Vatican in sex abuse scandal
164. Yahya Wehelie, an American exiled without charge
165. Failure to replace National Labor Relations Board members means hundreds of decisions must be reviewed
166. SCOTUS opts for overly broad definition of material support to terrorist groups
167. Speaker Pelosi backstabs Social Security
168. Complaints by government scientists of political interference at Bush era levels
169. Flip flop on free trade agreement with Colombia
170. SEC declares major victory but lets Goldman off easy
171. Private contracting of intelligence continues under Obama
172. Two Guantanamo prisoners to be deported back to Algeria against their will
173. The Shirley Sherrod affair: trumped up charges of racism and a bungled response 174. Whitewash report on Bush era US Attorney firings
175. Despite its record, Blackwater still gets big US government contracts
176. Wikileaks releases government files showing Pakistan involvement with Taliban and admission that things are going poorly in Afghanistan
177. Obama seeks to get access to everyone’s web histories without a court order
178. Teacher funding sacrificed to keep Education Secretary Arne Duncan happy
179. State’s top Iran hand resigns over Obama’s Iran policy
180. Citizens United: validation of unlimited corporate political funding
181. Push to expand US arms sales around the world
182. Project Vigilant, Infragard and “volunteer” corporate spying for the government
183. Obama’s approval hits Bush levels in Arab world
184. Effort to pre-empt state environmental lawsuits involving green house gases
185. Justice’s Anti-trust division asleep at the wheel
186. Kagan’s recusals render her even more ineffective on the Supreme Court
187. Poverty level highest since 1994
188. Courts run interference for corporate violators of international law
189. Warren named to set up but not to run Consumer Financial Protection Board
190. Chief economic adviser Larry Summers leaves; Obama looks for someone even more pro-business to replace him
191. DOJ IG report goes soft on Bush era surveillance against peace groups and other activists; meanwhile the Obama Administration conducts raids against similar groups
192. Move to put backdoors in the internet to facilitate spying and more requirements on banks on international money transfers of any size
193. HHS Secretary Sebelius delays for at least two years required insurance coverage for contraception
194. Americans on Medicaid increased to 48.5 million in 2009
195. Big home lenders suspend foreclosures as their documentation gets challenged in court
196. HR 3808, a bill passed by Congress, to facilitate the acceptance of false documentation by banks in foreclosure proceedings
197. ICE raids and deportations increase under Obama
198. Social Security COLA frozen for second straight year; no action taken
199. Waivers for military aid to countries with child soldiers
200. Big and deserved losses in the 2010 elections
201. 42 million Americans on food stamps at the end of FY 2010
202. No indictments for those involved in the CIA destruction of the torture tapes
203. The Bowles-Simpson Cat Food Commission proposals
204. $3 billion in aid for Israel for a 90 day settlement freeze
205. No change in Democratic Congressional leadership after 2010 election disaster
206. Forced proselytizing still prevalent at US Air Force Academy
207. TSA harassment and violation of the 4th Amendment
208. More TSA idiocy: full body scans and invasive pat downs
209. The response to the 2009 coup in Honduras
210. Use of diplomatic personnel to spy at the UN
211. Fed proposes rule change to Truth in Lending Act to protect bank fraud
212. FCC head Genachowski takes an axe to net neutrality
213. Lieberman and Amazon.com seek to censor wikileaks
214. Pressuring the Spanish government into dropping torture prosecutions against 6 high level Bush officials
215. Neoliberal free trade deal with South Korea at a time of high unemployment
216. Hamfisted banning access to wikileaks by government departments
217. Massive screwup in printing $100 bills
218. Extending tax cuts for the rich in a poor compromise on jobless benefits
219. Dancing boys of Afghanistan paid for by US contractor Dyncorp
220. EPA backtracks on smog standards
221. Former OMB director Peter Orszag goes to Citigroup
222. Obama breaks the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty to supply Israel with nuclear fuel
223. DREAM Act for children of illegal immigrants done in by Senate Democrats
224. DOJ drops investigations of corrupt members of Congress
225. The FBI’s Guardian database, another useless, intrusive surveillance program
226. Pentagon weakens rules on contractor conflicts of interest
227. Investigation by state Attorney Generals into foreclosuregate: no criminal charges
228. Obama names Mr. NAFTA Bill Daley as his new Chief of Staff
229. Obama names neoliberal free trader Gene Sperling to replace Larry Summers
230. Executive Order to make regulations more business-friendly
231. Gulet Mohamed: Detention and torture of US citizens by proxy
232. Nelson v. NASA: government can demand intrusive, unnecessary information about its employees
233. Choice of GE’s outsourcing CEO Jeffrey Immelt as Obama’s Jobs Czar
234. Failure to weaken or eliminate the filibuster
235. Corporate targeting of Wikileaks and liberal organizations
236. Reaction to the popular revolution in Egypt
237. HHS Secretary Sebelius helps states cut Medicaid rolls and funding
238. Petraeus accuses parents not US attacks for burns to children in Afghanistan
239. US general in Afghanistan sets up illegal propaganda program targeting Americans
240. Obama plans to devastate small block grants program for the poor
241. Silence on the Wisconsin labor protests
242. Former Senator Christopher Dodd quickly becomes lobbyist after promising not to
243. Obama reinstitutes sham review tribunals at Guantanamo
244. DOJ colludes with Bush era official Scott Bloch to keep him out of jail
245. The treatment of Bradley Manning
246. State Department spokesman PJ Crowley forced to resign over Manning comments
247. Massive conflicts of interest in David Stevens at HUD and soon to be head of main lobbying group for the mortgage industry
248. Mild reaction to bloody anti-democratic repression in Bahrain and Yemen
249. Torture psychologist appointed to White House task force
250. FBI program which allows them to investigate anyone doesn’t work (surprise)
251. In his Libya war, Obama has completed the unconstitutional process of Presidents’ usurpation of Congress’ power to make war
252. Obama accepts award for transparency in secret
253. Democrats create PACs to receive unlimited contributions from anonymous donors 254. 2011 government shutdown threat as Shock Doctrine
254. The 2011 “great” biprtisan budget deal
255. The OCC deal to cover for banks in foreclosuregate
256. Reshuffling neocons at DOD and the CIA
257. Leak of Detainee Assessments shines light on the weakness of cases against many Guantanamo inmates
258. Geithner shields foreign exchange derivatives from Dodd-Frank regulation
259. Crazy new application for some US passports
260. DOJ wants SCOTUS to allow for GPS tracking without a warrant
261. An industry stacked panel to study fracking
262. SCOTUS attacks small claim class actions
263. SCOTUS okays fraud in financial presentations
264. SCOTUS attacks large class actions and Title VII
265. DOJ’s non-investigation of torture produces few results
266. Department of State threatens participants of Gaza flotilla with terrorism charges
267. Detainees now held on ships to avoid judicial scrutiny
268. CIA operating a black site prison in Somalia
269. SCOTUS and DC Appeals Court torpedoing detainee habeas petitions
270. SCOTUS greatly expands warrantless searches; Obama DOJ approves
271. Tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after the 2011 spike in gasoline prices
272. Christine Varney, head of DOJ Anti-Trust Division, goes to law firm that had case before her
273. Senseless 2011 debt ceiling crisis, budget cutting, and attacks on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid
274. TSA closes US airspace to Mexican human rights activist
275. DHS guts its unit monitoring right wing terrorism in US
276. “Recovery” benefited corporations, not workers
277. Harassment of a government scientist Charles Monett because his work clashes with drilling in the Arctic
278. African Americans and Hispanic wealth took hardest hit from financial crises
279. Cass Sunstein sitting on labor rules to protect child workers
280. Oil leasing in Gulf resumes
281. Administration pressures NY AG Schneiderman to go along with bogus mortgage settlement
282. DOJ dumps responsibility for its bungled gun running sting on handy US Attorney
283. US ranks 41st in the world in infant mortality
284. White House engages in selective prosecution of Dan Choi over DADT protest
285. COBRA extension ditched
286. Obama spikes EPA ozone limits
287. 2011 Obama fictional jobs plan
288. Contractors cost twice as much as unionized federal workers doing the same work
289. New EPA greenhouse gas limits also being drawn out
290. CFTC proposes ineffectual limits on commodity speculation
291. State Department targets career officer Peter Van Buren for writing critical book
292. Secret Law and the OLC legal justification for killing a US citizen abroad
293. US incomes fall more after recession than during it
294. Another Afghanistan fail: torture rampant in Afghan prisons
295. Bank of America dumps derivative exposure on to the FDIC with Fed approval
296. New rule to legitimize government lying in response to FOIA requests
297. Cronyism and the Keystone XL pipeline
298. Despite pledge, Obama still taking money from lobbyists
299. Secure Communities and deportation as a business
300. The Occupy movement and the attacks upon it
301. DOJ prosecuting financial fraud at the lowest rate in 20 years
302. US stops funding of UNESCO
303. 42% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck
304. The Post Office facing cuts because of unnecessary prefunding mandates
Schlukitz
@Jackie:
Um…Jackie, it’s not Robert who played the race card. It as you who just played it.
I would suggest you go back and re-read Robert’s comment once again, so that you fully comprehend what he said before accusing anyone of racism and getting innocent comments moderated.