Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Politics / Homo What He Said
Posted by Dan Savage on Tue, Jun 30, 2009 at 11:59 AM
It was nice to see President Obama commemorating Stonewall on the 40th anniversary and bringing LGBT people into the White House. But we've been here before, and it was the least a new Democratic president could do. Anyone who sees it as a "win" of any kind is setting the bar very low.Obama pledged nothing more in his speech than what he has promised before, during his campaign speeches. Again, it looked like an important event that the president took time out to host, and the recognition of our history is equally important, by the President of the United States and many others. But this should not be what we see as a measure of our success. We have to listen to his words carefully—and I heard nothing new, in terms of moving forward—and still keep his feet to the fire.
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1
Until DOMA and DADT are both fully repealled Mr. Obama needs not worry about my vote in 2012 or my money.
2
"In a move that closes the gap between two White House administrations, numerous government agencies and a year-old act of Congress, the Department of Health and Human Services has issued regulations that would end the United States' decades-old HIV travel and immigration ban."
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rall…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-rall…
3
Isn't this what Signorile wanted two weeks ago? Some confirmation that Obama planned on keeping his promise?
(Yes, yes, I know what Signorile REALLY wants is for his promises to be kept.)
I understand wholeheartedly the eagerness of many in the community to get the ball rolling on our rights, but how much of Signorile's yelling (or anyone else's at this point) is activism and how much of it is yelling for the sake of yelling?
How do we know Obama's not rounding his political circles to convince Congress to get moving? Also, does anyone think that if Obama halted DADT (which we've established he has the authority to do) that Congress might take even longer to get to it? Congress, too, has a full plate at the moment.
I'm admittedly inexperienced (I'll accept "naive") in some areas of life. I'm not married, nor do I plan to be any time soon. I've also never served in any branch of military (also not in my future), so these things don't personally affect me. That said, I'm not sure if we've crossed the line from holding Obama accountable to outright berating him.
Also, for the record, I can also list the numerous other promises Obama made, and has yet to fulfill. I'm also not excusing the lack of progress. I'm just a bit frustrated at the finger-pointing directed at a man with his own politics and struggles to overcome as a very, very overburdened national leader.
With that said, rip me to shreds, commenters.
(Yes, yes, I know what Signorile REALLY wants is for his promises to be kept.)
I understand wholeheartedly the eagerness of many in the community to get the ball rolling on our rights, but how much of Signorile's yelling (or anyone else's at this point) is activism and how much of it is yelling for the sake of yelling?
How do we know Obama's not rounding his political circles to convince Congress to get moving? Also, does anyone think that if Obama halted DADT (which we've established he has the authority to do) that Congress might take even longer to get to it? Congress, too, has a full plate at the moment.
I'm admittedly inexperienced (I'll accept "naive") in some areas of life. I'm not married, nor do I plan to be any time soon. I've also never served in any branch of military (also not in my future), so these things don't personally affect me. That said, I'm not sure if we've crossed the line from holding Obama accountable to outright berating him.
Also, for the record, I can also list the numerous other promises Obama made, and has yet to fulfill. I'm also not excusing the lack of progress. I'm just a bit frustrated at the finger-pointing directed at a man with his own politics and struggles to overcome as a very, very overburdened national leader.
With that said, rip me to shreds, commenters.
4
It's nice to know that you're all too impatient to wait more than six months in the midst of god knows how many national crisises.
6
@4
Dan is afflicted with
PoliticoPrematureEjaculation.
He can't hold it
while the process runs it's course.
Like a 14 year old oogling his Playboy,
he makes a mess all over the process.
Obama is a mature lover.
Takes his time, does it right.
All night long.
Dan is done for the night
before he gets his
tiddy-whities down to his knees.
Dan is afflicted with
PoliticoPrematureEjaculation.
He can't hold it
while the process runs it's course.
Like a 14 year old oogling his Playboy,
he makes a mess all over the process.
Obama is a mature lover.
Takes his time, does it right.
All night long.
Dan is done for the night
before he gets his
tiddy-whities down to his knees.
7
I'm starting to think that Mayor Savage would've ruled with an iron fist. I believe Seattle has dodged a bullet.
8
Dan dude you are totally cool but you need to take a "chill pill" buddy.
It seems like every other time I hear or read your comments you are always talking about your $$ donations to Obama and how you want him to do more. He will get to it but there are lots and lots of people knocking at his door. I am sure he will do the right things for the LGBT community. We all just need to relax a little.
It seems like every other time I hear or read your comments you are always talking about your $$ donations to Obama and how you want him to do more. He will get to it but there are lots and lots of people knocking at his door. I am sure he will do the right things for the LGBT community. We all just need to relax a little.
9
After throwing is paper behind Obama, Dan's credibility is on the line: that's really the point here and probably what drives a lot of his fanaticism.
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Conte…
Anyone with cognitive abilities can see through this furor that Dan whips up exactly 1,299 days before the expiration of Obama's first term.
one thousand, two hundred and ninety-nine days
The fierce urgency of stomping your foot like a baby and blowing a whole in the whole ship that is the Democratic party.
You trying to sink us, Dan?
http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Conte…
Anyone with cognitive abilities can see through this furor that Dan whips up exactly 1,299 days before the expiration of Obama's first term.
one thousand, two hundred and ninety-nine days
The fierce urgency of stomping your foot like a baby and blowing a whole in the whole ship that is the Democratic party.
You trying to sink us, Dan?
10
Does anybody know when HR 1283 (the Military Readiness Enhancement Act) is going to make it out of committee? It seems like that would be germane to this discussion.
11
There's a difference between 'putting his feet to the fire' and urging congress, the senate, the media, and everyone else that Obama still has promises to fufill for those gay men and women that voted for him, and all the americans he represents in his office; and casting him into the inferno and demonizing him for what is not INACTION, as he has had 6 -incredibly- busy months. Compare it to Bush and his frequent vacations.
As abstract as the concepts of civil rights and action are, there is a lot of paper pushing, public relations, meeting and convincing to be done in forcing these things through. Nevermind the insurmountable work already faced with healthcare reform at the doorstep of the White House.
Feel free to push out gentle criticism and reminders, Dan. The F that you gave him on CNN after his first 90 days? Excellent, succint criticism. But don't lose sight of the fact that there is more out there than just gay rights, that the president faces more, the white house has more work, and that there is still three and a half months.
Please, I know that such vehemence and blunt honesty is what endears us to you, but there's a difference between speaking up, and frothing irrational anger.
As abstract as the concepts of civil rights and action are, there is a lot of paper pushing, public relations, meeting and convincing to be done in forcing these things through. Nevermind the insurmountable work already faced with healthcare reform at the doorstep of the White House.
Feel free to push out gentle criticism and reminders, Dan. The F that you gave him on CNN after his first 90 days? Excellent, succint criticism. But don't lose sight of the fact that there is more out there than just gay rights, that the president faces more, the white house has more work, and that there is still three and a half months.
Please, I know that such vehemence and blunt honesty is what endears us to you, but there's a difference between speaking up, and frothing irrational anger.
12
It has been pointed out many times and in many forums that enforcement of DADT could be suspended with the stroke of a pen. If Obama had done that and stopped the loss of 2 service careers a day none of this fierce criticism would be going on. Not even Obama is so busy that he can't sign a simple order drafted by his aides.
14
@12 it has also been pointed out that suspending DADT as such could cause a large amount of political backlash against Obama, who isn't one to legislate from the executive. The executive branch isn't the one that's meant to make domestic policy and create laws.
If you want to do something, stop harping on your executive and instead start yelling at your congressmen and woman who I assure you could use far more nudging in the right direction from their constituents. Take the populist route. Gay marriage and the repeal of DADT have huge approval among the general population, and if those people that approve would just write or phone their representatives office, maybe we could get something done.
You're yelling into the wrong abyss.
If you want to do something, stop harping on your executive and instead start yelling at your congressmen and woman who I assure you could use far more nudging in the right direction from their constituents. Take the populist route. Gay marriage and the repeal of DADT have huge approval among the general population, and if those people that approve would just write or phone their representatives office, maybe we could get something done.
You're yelling into the wrong abyss.
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