Obama's Big Gay Marriage Statement

[Mister Matt]

You know she's going to get knocked up by Rush Limbaugh any day now.

[strummergirl]

Raised by grandparents and a single mother for much of his life= becomes president
Raised by two parents in the home= knocked up teenager still trying to make the most out of 15 minutes of infamy

That's all I can add to Bristol's stupid logic

[Scripps2]

The tide has turned and it's downhill all the way from here guys, so start planning now...

Guest lists,
Location,
Catering,
Music,
Flowers,
Silk suits?/linen suits?
Photographers.

And, because there aren't enough photographs in this thread:

[TheatreDiva90016]

Just thought I'd post this here, too.

[jacobtsf]

Here's the actual article Diva posted a picture of

http://www.baywindows.com/romney-ill-be-better-than-ted-for-gay-rights-62044

[FindingNamo]

Four years ago, Romnoid dismissed that interview as "ancient history." ANCIENT HISTORY!!!!

[dented146]

It's gutsy, long overdue and the right thing. Problem is that it could have waited a few more months and not put three of four swing states in play for the GOP.

We can enjoy this moment of reason and clear thinking but there might be a big price later.

[TheatreDiva90016]

Joe Biden pushed him, but we'll take what we can get.

[tazber]

I wonder if behind closed doors Obama spanked the daylights out of Biden for his statement.

[Yawper]

not sure if Biden pushed him or sent up a test balloon for him - bad response then it's "well, that's just goofball Joe running his mouth again", okay response then it's "let's go ahead with a statement"

[jacobtsf]

Yeah, I think it was test to see how the public would react.

[strummergirl]

Heck I overheard fratbros on my campus really shocked that Obama would make this move but not in the sense they are against Gay Marriage but that this move seems the opposite of what a politician would do.

I have a hard time believer, and this was a theory from a talking head on NPR who seemed more appropriate for the cable news circuit, that it was as simple of crazy Uncle Joe running his mouth. Given how quiet Biden has been for over 3 years, with the exception of him celebrating the healthcare deal, I doubt it came out of nowhere.

[SonofRobbieJ]

^ I'm with ya on that.

The timing is just a little...perfect. 6 months out from the election, so that the public has a chance to absord it and get over it. Using 'Crazy Uncle Joe' to drop the bomb, then Obama's 'hastily' arranged interview...which happened the day after the NC vote.

[ghostlight2]

And my response to that is - "Yeah. So?".

[Mister Matt]

There is always some big announcement or policy made around this time during a re-election year. And I'm glad it was this.

[TulitaPepsi]

It is indeed tremendous, glorious news.

But that "I think it should be left up to the states" needs to go by the wayside.

In his next term, Obama needs to slam it home in FEDERAL LAW, LBJ-Style.

[Mister Matt]

I don't know how anyone who supports DOMA can argue it "should be left up to the states".

[TulitaPepsi]

The best essay on the subject is by Glenn Greenwald in SALON. Greenwald is one of Obama's toughest critics on the left - he is almost alone in calling out this administration on its corrupt dealings with Wall Street and its human rights abuses - but he eloquently applauds Obama for supporting gay marriage.

Especially astute is the following observation:

"The pressure continuously applied on Obama by some gay groups, most gay activists, and (especially) rich gay funders undoubtedly played a significant role in all of these successes. As David Sirota explained today, this demonstrates why it is so vital to always apply critical pressure even to politicians one likes and supports, and conversely, it demonstrates why it is so foolish and irresponsible to devote oneself with uncritical, blind adoration to a politician, whether in an election year or any other time (unconditional allegiance is the surest way to render one’s beliefs and agenda irrelevant). When someone who wields political power does something you dislike or disagree with, it’s incumbent upon you to object, criticize, and demand a different course. Those who refuse to do so are abdicating the most basic duty of citizenship and rendering themselves impotent."
The president deserves credit for his actions in this civil rights area, regardless of his motives

[TulitaPepsi]

Even better. Greenwald quotes a commentator in the Guardian:

I’m generally no fan of Obama, and many of the reasons why are reported regularly in Glenn’s blog. . . .

On this issue, Obama’s statement today will be remembered 20 years from now, while his motives, and the North Carolina vote yesterday, and Biden’s carefully calibrated statement last week, and Obama’s previous dithering on this issue, will be long forgotten. A sitting President of the United States is willing, for the first time, to personally back basic civil rights for people who love others of the same sex. That is an action. It’s mostly symbolic, sure, but it will mean a whole lot to a whole lot of people.

I’m old enough to remember eight years of Ronald Reagan not once mentioning the AIDS pandemic while it raged. Any queer or queer ally who lived through that era will instantly recognize today’s significance. That was less than 25 years ago. To get from there to this is remarkable.

No, today’s statement doesn’t get any legislation passed (at least, not directly), and the states’ rights hedge is a copout. But the important takeaway is that marriage equality opponents, and homophobes in general, can no longer dismiss gay civil rights as a fringe concern, and the notion that we can be separated from the fabric of American life and be shunned, buried, and forgotten is officially dead.

Eventually, marriage equality and all those other civil and social rights straight people take for granted will become the law of the land and the norm for everyone. Today helps get us there. That’s worth celebrating no matter how many odious other things Obama’s done.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

When Missouri passed a constitutional amendment defining marriage as one man to one woman, I watched many a Missourian step forward and spout bullsh-t about how traditional marriage was being threatened by same-sex marriage and that marriage equality would destroy society and blah, blah, and blah.

The amendment passed in 2004.

50 percent of Missouri marriages still end in divorce.

The only thing that vote changed was the Missouri constitution.

North Carolina voters just used the ballot to bully same-sex couples wanting the right to marry and I can guarantee that not a damn thing is going to change regarding marriage in North Carolina except the law.
Angry Black Bitch - On same-sex marriage and granting rights by popular opinion…