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News & ArtsFriday, May 22, 2009
Homo Movement
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, May 22, 2009 at 9:00 AM
The Department of Defense, which earlier in the week said that it wasn't doing squat about ending DADT, now says that it's working with the White House toward "implementation of the President's commitment" to allow gays and lesbians to serve openly in the military. Says John:
It's been a bad month for the administration on the DADT issue, including White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, oddly, talking about "reforming" the DADT policy today, as if there's some middle ground between bigotry and equality (perhaps we split the difference at 4/5ths a man?). But this statement out of the Pentagon is a good sign. It's a sign that the Pentagon understands that it doesn't run the commander in chief, and it's a sign that the White House is beginning to understand the depth of the angst, doubt, and anger many are feeling over the uncertain future of President Obama's many promises to gay Americans.
It's just words right now, of course, not action. But we're getting to the President through to the President. Now how's about some action on DOMA and the HIV Travel Ban, Mr. President?
1
Well, all the polls show majority support for overturning DADT, it's just this nagging fear Obama has of doing work.
EccesChild is going to be here shortly though, so I'm only here with popcorn and my opera glasses to watch the fireworks.
EccesChild is going to be here shortly though, so I'm only here with popcorn and my opera glasses to watch the fireworks.
2
I'll believe it when it's overturned. I'm sure it'll be some sick compromise position like DADT was supposed to be.
4
"how about some action on the DOMA and the HIV travel ban".
How about we give the guy more than 4 months?
How about we give the guy more than 4 months?
5
@ 4
Yes, let's just wait longer for civil rights........ Just a little longer.....
Wait for it. Wait for it........
I mean it's just civil rights, what's the big deal?
Yes, let's just wait longer for civil rights........ Just a little longer.....
Wait for it. Wait for it........
I mean it's just civil rights, what's the big deal?
6
Geekgirl: perhaps we're adding 1/5 for inflation or as a sign of how far we've come in all these years: not equal, but getting closer!!!
7
We need to keep the pressure on, though. Ana Cox last night on Rachel Maddow's show was also, like, I think the Obama administration really does want to do x, y, and z for gay people . . . but apologeticism only gets so far. Gibbs and Obama need to feel a little heat.
8
Didn't Kerry sponsor a successful bill that eliminated the HIV travel ban? I must be way behind on this.
9
Hurrying up to things without proper evaluation and consultation with both generals and Congress would be like going back to the last eight years (no more), I'm confident in knowing that our President doesn't cave to pressure and endangers the security of the nation. Just wait and see for the response to the gay themed bacchanal in the green zone and then if you truly care about the security of our troops maybe you will rethink this sort of political assaults to drive through a wish list at any cost without any regard for the consequences.
10
@9. You know firing crucial members of the military because of their sexuality IN SOME VAGUE WAY endangers security, right?
12
Obama can halt discharges simply by signing an executive order. He has the authority to do it, could do it at any time, and does not need to consult with anybody.
http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/rel…
http://www.palmcenter.org/press/dadt/rel…
14
In other words, nothing will ever satisfy you, no matter how much other shit Obama has to deal with as President.
Fuck off.
Now how's about some action on DOMA and the HIV Travel Ban, Mr. President?
In other words, nothing will ever satisfy you, no matter how much other shit Obama has to deal with as President.
Fuck off.
15
I absolutely trust our President to do what's right. I also understand he will act carefully, which is something we haven't seen in many years. But he will bring change, in that I have all confidence.
16
@14 No we won't. People that are committed to civil liberties won't be satisfied until people are treated as people no matter the distinctions that are tied to them. I see this as the hope of America.
17
@12 - Executive orders are the best way to make sure the change is short-lived and repealed the next time the Republicans get in power. It's also the right way to look like Bush with no concern for checks and balances.
No, the correct way to do this is the way he's doing it - only faster. Congress needs to act to permanently repeal DADT, and Obama needs to feel the pressure to get the ball rolling and keep it rolling until it's done.
No, the correct way to do this is the way he's doing it - only faster. Congress needs to act to permanently repeal DADT, and Obama needs to feel the pressure to get the ball rolling and keep it rolling until it's done.
19
Yeah, I agree with 14! It's almost like you queers want EQUAL treatment or something. Come on: you've just heard that there's a possibility that the Pentagon may comply with a DADT repeal that the White House may possibly decide to push! You should be completely satisfied now! Just because you still don't have marriage rights and still get banned from entering our country if you're a non-citizen with HIV doesn't mean that you have anything to complain about! So you think that equal treatment means that we have to stop ALL forms of discrimination against you and get rid of ALL legislation that strips you of your rights? Why can't you just "compromise" to be, you know, SORT OF equal.
You're just like those fussy black Americans. It wasn't good enough when we passed the emancipation proclamation, noooo, they just HAD to share our drinking fountains and schools, too!
You're just like those fussy black Americans. It wasn't good enough when we passed the emancipation proclamation, noooo, they just HAD to share our drinking fountains and schools, too!
20
@5: I suppose you hate LBJ because he didn't force the Civil rights act of '64 through congress and sign it immediately after becoming president? And JFK because he never did either?
these things take time. deal with it.
these things take time. deal with it.
21
There's a difference between taking a route that's more strategically viable, but takes longer, and simply doing nothing. If Obama were openly and deliberately plowing through the steps needed to get DADT repealed through Congress, then everyone here would be satisfied; nobody would be calling for him to sign an executive order, and nobody would be pissed about how long it takes. People are pissed because, before this vague announcement that he might start to get the ball rolling, they hadn't seen ANY action on his part. None. Slow action is different from no action. Get it now?
22
@9, worry not padawan, the Maenads will fuck up anybody that tries to disrupt the gay bacchanal in the green zone.
"It moved." - George Castanza
"It moved." - George Castanza
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