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News & ArtsTuesday, May 19, 2009
News Baracking A Promise
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, May 19, 2009 at 11:22 AM
That was then.
Fourteen years ago, the Democratic Party faced a test of leadership, and our party failed that test. We had an opportunity to be leaders on the World stage in eliminating discrimination against gay and lesbian service members.... Fourteen years later, the United States of America [lags] behind our military allies, who are repudiating discrimination against lesbian and gay soldiers in ever increasing numbers—in Great Britain, Canada, Israel, nearly every NATO member in Europe—all with no impact upon military readiness and performance. And our politicians lag behind the American people, who now call for the repeal of Don’t Ask,Don’t Tell in super-majority numbers. It is time for a change.As president, I will work with Congress and place the weight of my administration behind enactment of the Military Readiness Enhancement Act, which will make nondiscrimination the official policy of the U.S. military. I will task the Defense Department and the senior command structure in every branch of the armed forces with developing an action plan for the implementation of a full repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.
This is now:
The Pentagon says it has no plans to repeal the don't ask-don't tell policy for gay troops. Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell said Tuesday that the military's top leaders have only had initial discussions with the White House about whether gay troops should be open about their sexuality. Under current rules, openly gay troops can be discharged from the U.S. military.Morrell said the White House has not asked for the 1993 policy to be scrapped.
Watch this—at least until the 1:15 mark.
The man said, "I don't make promises I can't keep." But he didn't say anything about making promises he won't keep.
3
Why hasn't Pelosi introduced ENDA this year?
It will easily pass through the House.
In 31 states, you can be fired for being LGBT.
Repealing DADT is nice, but let's not forget equality for the other 98% of the work force.
It will easily pass through the House.
In 31 states, you can be fired for being LGBT.
Repealing DADT is nice, but let's not forget equality for the other 98% of the work force.
4
You're treating the situation as though his term(s) is over, as though we're not only, you know, 100 and some odd days into it, you fucking bitch ass cry baby who cries wolf.
Seriously, it is really disingenuous.
Seriously, it is really disingenuous.
6
It was clear from the campaign that Obama didn't give a shit about equal rights for gay people. Surely you aren't surprised.
7
@4: It's time for the Administration to throw LGBTs some sort of bone. DOMA, DADT, ENDA, something, anything. And we will continue to yell until they do. Then we'll be satisfied for a couple months and help with other groups' issues, until it's time for our next bone. That's how coalition politics work, see?
8
The recent reports of command sanctioned religious fundamentalism in the enlisted and officer corps, of the Air Force in particular, but no doubt with designs futher afield, suggests as time goes on that Obama will need to contend with a military evermore resistant to changing the Don't Ask Don't Tell policy. See the article:
"Jesus killed Mohammed:
The crusade for a Christian military"
By Jeff Sharlet
In the May 2009 Harper's Magazine. (unfortunately only available to suscribers online, but available in libraries everywhere)
"Jesus killed Mohammed:
The crusade for a Christian military"
By Jeff Sharlet
In the May 2009 Harper's Magazine. (unfortunately only available to suscribers online, but available in libraries everywhere)
9
@4 My friend used the exact same excuse. The fact of the matter is that this is seemingly an easy thing to fix. However, it has become clear that the President does not intend to do anything about this issue. He hasn't even formally expressed, in his role as President, that he wants this to change.
Here is my suggestion: everyone in the armed forces, and I do mean everyone, should go to their superior officer and tell him or her that they are gay. Maybe after the President discharges the entire American Military will he realize the fucking absurdity of the current (discriminatory) precedents.
Here is my suggestion: everyone in the armed forces, and I do mean everyone, should go to their superior officer and tell him or her that they are gay. Maybe after the President discharges the entire American Military will he realize the fucking absurdity of the current (discriminatory) precedents.
10
Nobody wants DADT ended more than I, but I want to give him more time. Like I said before, he will do what he said he will do when he knows the time is right. I trust him.
11
@7: Well, coalition politics often see one or more group getting the shaft for a long while before they get a scrap or two, which is likely at this point. I mean, Native American groups have been waiting since the 70s for the single issue of land trust, and that's the most recently addressed! And yet they pony up behind the dems, libs or greens...
I've never really thought to the that Obama would as President advocate fully for equal rights in any command capacity. I am however glad that he actually has the guts to have the conversation during his campaign and doubly glad that it didn't cost him votes in the popular arena; nobody would have guessed that something that cost votes in 2004 would be seen as no big deal.
Federal arenas, though, are notorious for either being ahead of their time or way behind their time. This is nothing exclusive to any one branch, and it's sad and frequently inexcusable when it falls to the wrong side of the clock.
Doesn't mean it's not a bummer, to say the least.
I've never really thought to the that Obama would as President advocate fully for equal rights in any command capacity. I am however glad that he actually has the guts to have the conversation during his campaign and doubly glad that it didn't cost him votes in the popular arena; nobody would have guessed that something that cost votes in 2004 would be seen as no big deal.
Federal arenas, though, are notorious for either being ahead of their time or way behind their time. This is nothing exclusive to any one branch, and it's sad and frequently inexcusable when it falls to the wrong side of the clock.
Doesn't mean it's not a bummer, to say the least.
12
Morrell said Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen both have discussed the issue with Obama. "They're aware of where the president wants to go on this issue, but I don't think that there is any sense of any immediate developments in the offing on efforts to repeal don't ask-don't tell," Morrell said.
13
I thought we figured out in California that all black people are homophobes.
I'm no more surprised by this than if I heard the ECB is a kleptomaniac.
I'm no more surprised by this than if I heard the ECB is a kleptomaniac.
15
7
I've got your bone right here...
Now try not to squeal too much, Dan...
and spread your cheeks a little wider...
I've got your bone right here...
Now try not to squeal too much, Dan...
and spread your cheeks a little wider...
17
as gay people, we should always be prepared to get fucked in the ass...Democrat candidates have been whispering sweet nothings in our ear for the last 20 years while they pat us down for cash, yet they're always gone when we wake up in the morning...
18
4, it's not that he hasn't already fully repealed DOMA and DADT and every other discriminatory practice all within his first 100 days. It's that he's turned a completely deaf ear to those issues. There's "taking your time" on something, and then there's flat-out refusing to do it. If he really were just taking his time, we'd be hearing something from him. He'd at least have some sort of comment to make: "I plan to wait until after the midterm elections," or "I plan to wait until after we see how the stimulus is taking effect," or "I plan to wait until gay pride day," or even "I don't know when the right time is, but don't worry, I really am still on board."
But we've heard absolutely fucking nothing. And even within the first 100 days, since when is it a bad move to keep your voices loud? Democrats have a huge history of promising things to the gay community and then just quietly forgetting about it. Staying consistently loud should keep them on their toes.
But we've heard absolutely fucking nothing. And even within the first 100 days, since when is it a bad move to keep your voices loud? Democrats have a huge history of promising things to the gay community and then just quietly forgetting about it. Staying consistently loud should keep them on their toes.
19
@11: Quite right, these things take time. The LGBT community has been waiting for employment non-discrimination for 50 years and Federal marriage rights for 20+ years. Time for a little something, no?
20
In 1992, Clinton rushed in (or was pushed in, depending on whom you read) to end the ban on gays and lesbians in the military without first building support for the policy change within the military, and conservative Democrat Sam Nunn and Republican Colin Powell forced Bill into the "Don't Ask/Don't Tell/Don't Pursue" so-called "compromise," and we all see how that turned out.
In 2008, Obama began lining up support WITHIN the military for a change in the DADTDP policy, work which we have to assume continues. We have to assume, unfortunately, because Obama has backed away from publically advocating this process, and Gates has indicated that this policy initiative had to be "kicked down the road" a ways.
Yes, Obama has his arms full with an historic economic implosion and two wars in the most contentious areas of the globe. But if the policy is truly as awful as he told us during the campaign, he should risk the (minimal) political capital to suspend, via Executive Order, all DADTDP processes of service men and women so that no one is drummed out under HIS watch, while he lines up some "study" and continues to build on the support he already has from current and former military leaders for this change.
He can make the case for a need for ALL qualified personnel to serve during a time of war and military necessity without too much collateral political attack from the GOP and Religious Right. He's an articulate man, it's time to put those skills to work for us and use the bully pulpit to at least suspend this unfair--and unpatriotic--policy. The support is there, Obama. Time to step up and lead.
In 2008, Obama began lining up support WITHIN the military for a change in the DADTDP policy, work which we have to assume continues. We have to assume, unfortunately, because Obama has backed away from publically advocating this process, and Gates has indicated that this policy initiative had to be "kicked down the road" a ways.
Yes, Obama has his arms full with an historic economic implosion and two wars in the most contentious areas of the globe. But if the policy is truly as awful as he told us during the campaign, he should risk the (minimal) political capital to suspend, via Executive Order, all DADTDP processes of service men and women so that no one is drummed out under HIS watch, while he lines up some "study" and continues to build on the support he already has from current and former military leaders for this change.
He can make the case for a need for ALL qualified personnel to serve during a time of war and military necessity without too much collateral political attack from the GOP and Religious Right. He's an articulate man, it's time to put those skills to work for us and use the bully pulpit to at least suspend this unfair--and unpatriotic--policy. The support is there, Obama. Time to step up and lead.
21
He's not a liar, he just hasn't done anything about it yet. He has more than three and a half fucking years left. THREE AND ONE HALF OF ONE YEARS! Jesus man, give it a rest for ONE day, please, and stop accusing him of lying. Work to solve the problem not just pass blame. It undermines your objective, rightfully or not, and makes you look like a whiny twat.
The issue is MUCH bigger than Barack Obama, as you well know.
The issue is MUCH bigger than Barack Obama, as you well know.
23
What's the rush? Why can't we wait more than 3 months??
Here is why: By the fall of 2009 many staunch chicken-shit Democrats - including 90% of the LGBT community - will begin sewing their lips shut out of party loyalty because of the 2010 mid-term elections.
The silence on these matters that was imposed throughout 2008 leading up to November will once again be enforced as we circle our little suck up idiot faggot wagons around Obama and the Dems in the urgent need to elect MORE Democrats everywehre possible...so that...legislation like ENDA can pass and DADT and DOMA will be repealed. Right? That's it, right Dan??
I am glad you finally decided to grow a set now that your pom poms are getting dusty but I do not trust YOU or 90% of the other democrat sycophants to apply the same pressure WHEN IT COUNTS.
He already got our votes. Obama doesn't need us anymore. You might want to consider being bold before an election...you goddamned moron...unless you are too busy busting anyother boycott for a paycheck courtesy of THis American Life.
Here is why: By the fall of 2009 many staunch chicken-shit Democrats - including 90% of the LGBT community - will begin sewing their lips shut out of party loyalty because of the 2010 mid-term elections.
The silence on these matters that was imposed throughout 2008 leading up to November will once again be enforced as we circle our little suck up idiot faggot wagons around Obama and the Dems in the urgent need to elect MORE Democrats everywehre possible...so that...legislation like ENDA can pass and DADT and DOMA will be repealed. Right? That's it, right Dan??
I am glad you finally decided to grow a set now that your pom poms are getting dusty but I do not trust YOU or 90% of the other democrat sycophants to apply the same pressure WHEN IT COUNTS.
He already got our votes. Obama doesn't need us anymore. You might want to consider being bold before an election...you goddamned moron...unless you are too busy busting anyother boycott for a paycheck courtesy of THis American Life.
24
Is there any chance that Obama's silence on DADT is because we are involved in two wars in Islamic countries that are homophobic? (Wasn't it just last month that the NY Times reported the torture and murder of gay men in Iraq?) Could repealing DADT put our troops at an even greater risk if our enemies knew we had openly gay soldiers? I'm just musing here. And, perhaps these are stupid questions, as I believe the UK has openly gay soldiers. I want Obama to keep his word. I want full equality for all Americans. And, I want these wars over, too.
26
@7 Repealing DOMA and DADT and passing ENDA are hardly what I would call "bones", that's the whole damn skeleton. None of these can be done with the blink of an eye.
27
Sadly, both now require either Congress or the Supreme Court.
And I wouldn't hold out any hope on the USSC.
And I wouldn't hold out any hope on the USSC.
28
I think if we've learned anything new this week it's that Obama is quite capable building coalitions with all reasonable stakeholders in secret. Just like the new gas mileage standards that he got everyone to agree to and appointing Huntsman (Utah Gov) to ambassador to China all under the radar of the prying press. It's quite possible that DADT is being renegotiated right now with the military under the radar. So give it some time... we got like 90+ months more of his administration.
Getting rid of DADT and DOMA is important but so is universal healthcare, global warming, and SCOTUS. Let's stop people from being killed or financially ruined due to our healthcare problems... then slow the rise of the oceans... CHANGE the make up of the Supreme Court so they will make groundbreaking decisions like a Brown v. Board of Education for gay rights (not seperate but equal crap).
Getting rid of DADT and DOMA is important but so is universal healthcare, global warming, and SCOTUS. Let's stop people from being killed or financially ruined due to our healthcare problems... then slow the rise of the oceans... CHANGE the make up of the Supreme Court so they will make groundbreaking decisions like a Brown v. Board of Education for gay rights (not seperate but equal crap).
29
As a supporter of both Obama and Dan, this thread makes for painful reading.
I can't blame Dan for perseverating on this - the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and as a gay media icon, Dan's career depends on him at least appearing to be at the forefront of the gay rights push.
As for Obama, he would be an idiot to take up DADT while two wars are happening. Any military cause Obama champions that isn't about ending/winning the wars would be seen by most, rightly or wrongly, as a sign of fucked up priorities.
As for DOMA, making gay marriage his focus right now would potentially undermine his momentum on issues that are, quite frankly, much more important - 1) ending the wars, 2) turning the economy around, and 3) establishing universal health care. What's more, gay marriage doesn't actually need Obama's help to succeed. If you are concerned with the rights of all humans, not just gays, Obama's procrastination of DOMA makes sense.
So, I guess Dan sticks with the narrow view, Obama sticks with the broad view, and I'll continue to wince with each tedious installment of this series.
I can't blame Dan for perseverating on this - the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and as a gay media icon, Dan's career depends on him at least appearing to be at the forefront of the gay rights push.
As for Obama, he would be an idiot to take up DADT while two wars are happening. Any military cause Obama champions that isn't about ending/winning the wars would be seen by most, rightly or wrongly, as a sign of fucked up priorities.
As for DOMA, making gay marriage his focus right now would potentially undermine his momentum on issues that are, quite frankly, much more important - 1) ending the wars, 2) turning the economy around, and 3) establishing universal health care. What's more, gay marriage doesn't actually need Obama's help to succeed. If you are concerned with the rights of all humans, not just gays, Obama's procrastination of DOMA makes sense.
So, I guess Dan sticks with the narrow view, Obama sticks with the broad view, and I'll continue to wince with each tedious installment of this series.
30
Oh yeah and that whole ECONOMY IN THE CRAPPER thing. Let Obama work to make change by building political capital on issues that are more likely to turn him into a lame duck if he can't deliver on them.
31
@26: By "bone" I don't mean immediate passage of all laws we're lobbying for. I mean more along the lines of what @18 is talking about: some sort of assurance that we are on the agenda, and that we will get passage of at least one thing in the first term.
Because of the political reality of 2010 and 2012, the best years to pass something are 2009 and 2011. Time is running out on 2009, so loud noise is called for.
Because of the political reality of 2010 and 2012, the best years to pass something are 2009 and 2011. Time is running out on 2009, so loud noise is called for.
32
@29: Repealing DADT would in fact strengthen our military and help end/win our wars. Everyone but Elaine Donnelly knows it. That's why I support repeal, not just to accommodate my favored group identity. It's also why I think DADT is much higher priority than DOMA, even though changing DOMA would have an immediate benefit for more homos.
33
I really can't see voting for him for a second term.
If he was going to repleal DADT he could have done it already; or at least make an effort to look into it. He hasn't.
And Obama being a "fierce advocate for gay rights"? Yeah right; I'm still waiting for those pictures of the young law student at Harvard marching with ACT-UP...
Obama just may be the second best Republican President we ever had right after Bill Clinton.
If he was going to repleal DADT he could have done it already; or at least make an effort to look into it. He hasn't.
And Obama being a "fierce advocate for gay rights"? Yeah right; I'm still waiting for those pictures of the young law student at Harvard marching with ACT-UP...
Obama just may be the second best Republican President we ever had right after Bill Clinton.
34
@29 - and with Israel and the Red Bushies trying (still) to drag us into a foolhardy war with Iran ... the ONE country to actually have killed more al-Qaeda than we EVER will ....
Look, it's early. It has to (sadly) go thru Congress.
Look, it's early. It has to (sadly) go thru Congress.
36
33 - You'll change your mind about Obama in 2012 when the GOP puts up an ultra-conservative freeper like Sarah Palin, or worse.
37
@32: "Repealing DADT would in fact strengthen our military and help end/win our wars."
Right, I know, and if Obama can get a group of high level military leaders to argue this point, then DADT is history. Unfortunately, most military leaders don't agree. So, Obama has to decide whether it's worth picking a fight with the military 100 days into office while we are fighting two wars.
Right, I know, and if Obama can get a group of high level military leaders to argue this point, then DADT is history. Unfortunately, most military leaders don't agree. So, Obama has to decide whether it's worth picking a fight with the military 100 days into office while we are fighting two wars.
38
Seriously? A president in the midst of the worst economic crisis in modern times, two foreign wars, and cleaning up from the massively corrupt Bush administration is breaking a campaign promise by not addressing every single campaign promise in the first 100 days of his presidency?
Good lord, some of you make me embarrassed to be on the same side. I'm not saying give the guy a break forever, or not to push for quicker action -- it's the incredibly whiny and strident tone and fetishy catastrophism that's so ugly. Not everything that's disappointing is the WORSTIST THING EVAR!!!1!!1!!
Take a deep breath, do what you can to push for quicker action, and try not to hyperventilate. If you really, really believe this is a humongous betrayal, go organize a rally or something. Just be sure not to put "after 100 days in office" on your signs and stuff, because while that is a damning and permanent accusation to you, to most people it comes across as mitigating.
Good lord, some of you make me embarrassed to be on the same side. I'm not saying give the guy a break forever, or not to push for quicker action -- it's the incredibly whiny and strident tone and fetishy catastrophism that's so ugly. Not everything that's disappointing is the WORSTIST THING EVAR!!!1!!1!!
Take a deep breath, do what you can to push for quicker action, and try not to hyperventilate. If you really, really believe this is a humongous betrayal, go organize a rally or something. Just be sure not to put "after 100 days in office" on your signs and stuff, because while that is a damning and permanent accusation to you, to most people it comes across as mitigating.
39
I'm still hoping that the Administration's ducking of this issue and dragging of its feet is just that, Our O is biding his time, waiting for a time that it's not going to light a powder keg with a military whose leadershit have proven that their loyalty lie with a particularly odious strain of evangelical Christianity rather than the Constitution or Justice or anything that's truly holy.
Just like Abraham Lincoln.
While he's ducking it, he's not reversing himself.
It's never too late to do the right thing. I hope my faith is not misplaced.
Just like Abraham Lincoln.
While he's ducking it, he's not reversing himself.
It's never too late to do the right thing. I hope my faith is not misplaced.
40
There is this:
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/08/obam…
Sandy Tsao, a lesbian soldier, wrote a letter to Obama in January to say that she could no longer serve in the Army because of her orientation, and asked him to repeal DADT. On May 5th she received a handwritten response from Obama thanking her for her letter and saying that he intends to change the policy.
It's not a press conference, but it's something. Why the heck would he do that if he didn't intend to change the policy? Nobody who writes the President expects to receive much back - maybe a form letter at most - so he could have just ignored it.
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/08/obam…
Sandy Tsao, a lesbian soldier, wrote a letter to Obama in January to say that she could no longer serve in the Army because of her orientation, and asked him to repeal DADT. On May 5th she received a handwritten response from Obama thanking her for her letter and saying that he intends to change the policy.
It's not a press conference, but it's something. Why the heck would he do that if he didn't intend to change the policy? Nobody who writes the President expects to receive much back - maybe a form letter at most - so he could have just ignored it.
41
38 - "Do what you can to push for quicker action," and yet... stop pushing for quicker action because it's annoying and the President is busy? How does that work?
I'll say this for the ninth time: nobody expects the President to repeal every single anti-gay policy during his first half-year in office and put gays on the very top of his agenda. Re-read that last sentence four times so that you guys will have it in mind before you respond with more "the President is busy" arguments. However, people are being vocal for two very good reasons:
1) They are pissed that Obama hasn't so much as COMMENTED on his intentions with gay rights since he got elected, which isn't much to ask, even with forty wars and a second Dust Bowl and a plague of locusts o'er the land. When you consider the major role that gay rights played in his campaign, you can't blame people for viewing this as somewhat of a betrayal.
2) Being constantly vocal is a necessity when it comes to civil rights battles. You don't get to take a "break" when our government becomes busy dealing with issues that take the forefront over your own. If people quiet down and cut the President some slack, gay rights will slip off the radar completely, and won't take priority if and when these other matters are resolved.
Not to mention the fact that many of these gay rights issues intermingle with all the issues that are supposedly more important. Two wars? Gee, maybe we'd do a little better if we did away with our policy to ban soldiers and highly decorated officers for no good reason. Economic crisis? Gee, maybe getting rid of DOMA would at least get a little more money back into the economy once these gay couples start throwing weddings, engagement parties, receiving marital benefits, etc. Just a thought.
More...
I'll say this for the ninth time: nobody expects the President to repeal every single anti-gay policy during his first half-year in office and put gays on the very top of his agenda. Re-read that last sentence four times so that you guys will have it in mind before you respond with more "the President is busy" arguments. However, people are being vocal for two very good reasons:
1) They are pissed that Obama hasn't so much as COMMENTED on his intentions with gay rights since he got elected, which isn't much to ask, even with forty wars and a second Dust Bowl and a plague of locusts o'er the land. When you consider the major role that gay rights played in his campaign, you can't blame people for viewing this as somewhat of a betrayal.
2) Being constantly vocal is a necessity when it comes to civil rights battles. You don't get to take a "break" when our government becomes busy dealing with issues that take the forefront over your own. If people quiet down and cut the President some slack, gay rights will slip off the radar completely, and won't take priority if and when these other matters are resolved.
Not to mention the fact that many of these gay rights issues intermingle with all the issues that are supposedly more important. Two wars? Gee, maybe we'd do a little better if we did away with our policy to ban soldiers and highly decorated officers for no good reason. Economic crisis? Gee, maybe getting rid of DOMA would at least get a little more money back into the economy once these gay couples start throwing weddings, engagement parties, receiving marital benefits, etc. Just a thought.
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