The Daily Marriage Equality Letters Sent to Barack Obama (That He’ll Never Read)
Today, after a bit of a gap, is Briann Lambert’s seventh (daily-ish) letter to Barack Obama encouraging him to support gay marriage. Her first letter was sent while Barack was still on holiday with his two daughters and his wife Michelle, whose permission he didn’t have to request, from a court or a judge or the legislature, to marry. Briann’s seventh letter arrives with a note about the federal Prop 8 Perry trial. But Briann’s 24-hour letter cycle is not, in fact, unique.
Crystal Alburger, who married her wife in Iowa, has been sending Obama letters since August 6. Her last letter, from Sunday, quotes Dorothy Day: “No one has the right to sit down and feel hopeless. There’s too much work to be done.” Her letter from Saturday read in part: “Writing to you often seems hopeless. You won’t get my letters–and, even if you do, you won’t be able to do anything for me. Gay rights aren’t a priority for you, so why should writing to you be a priority for me? Oh, wait, I invariably recall on my way out of doubt: that’s why. Our human dignity needs to be a priority for you.”
Sadly, you are correct. It is highly doubtful that the President will ever actually read these letters.
At least, presumably, they will become part of his eventual Presidential library. One day, far in the future, a scholar may disover them, and the President’s true feelings about gay marriage and gay rights in general will become a more well known, documented chapter in his legacy.
The more letters they get, the more we are just background radio static to them. We need to stop voting for them, see if that will get their attention.
She should send the letters to Michelle Obama instead. “MO” gets less mail and if she withheld sex for a couple weeks or so, she might be able to get O’POTUS to do whatever she asks.
Seriously Lukus, you think she is so powerless and 1940′s that she needs to withhold sex for authority? That would change her title from First Lady to First Bitch.
@FITZ. Seriously? No, of course not.
But I do agree with the alternative suggestion you provided on this post. That was a great idea–and well said, too!
Rahm Emmanual most likely has them all shipped up to his vacation home to put in the walls as free insulation.
@Lukas P.: WHEW! I am relieved. I’ve admired most of what you say here, I didn’t want to imagine you encouraging a woman to use sex is a such a powerless way.
I fully support the First Lady when it is revealed that our Fearless Leader is more than slam-dunking it with Reggie Love!
Michelle Obama for 2012 I think.
Thank you for mentioning and linking my blog. :)
@Briann Lambert: Your letters matter. Maybe POTUS doesn’t see them, read them, or respond, but your voice resonates. What may, IMO, make an additional impact is to cc: those missives to members of Congress, state legislators, county and local officials. Media (e.g., national and local press, blogs, TV, radio, etc.) may pick up your story as well.
@Fitz: I learned in boxing lessons that the visual part of my brain works much faster than my hands do. [I look, on occasion like an extra in the movie Fight Club!] Thus, my slow response. I’m a fan of yours and appreciate your keen mind and insightful perspective on issues. Plus, you’re honest, fair, and get annoyed by the same idiots and lame-brains as I do!