President Barack Obama reaffirmed his campaign pledge to end the ban on homosexuals serving openly in the military in a speech Saturday, but offered no timetable or specifics for acting on that promise.
He acknowledged to a cheering crowd that some policy changes he promised on the campaign trail are not coming as quickly as they expected.
[...]
Obama also called on Congress to repeal the Defense Of Marriage Act, which limits how state, local and federal bodies can recognize partnerships and determine benefits. He also called for a law to extend benefits to domestic partners.He expressed strong support for the Human Rights Campaign agenda – ending discrimination against gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people – but stopped short of laying out a detailed plan for how to get there.
“My expectation is that when you look back on these years you will look back and see a time when we put a stop against discrimination … whether in the office or the battlefield,” Obama said.
So when is he coming out of the closet?
Okay so maybe that isn’t going to happen but the problem is I no longer know what to think of this man. I no longer believe anything he says and almost nothing he might do would surprise me.
I think he is a long legged Mac daddy who will say anything to achieve his objective which might not have a thing to do with what he’s promising or just got through claiming to stand for. In fact his long range objective might be the reverse of what he is promising. I’m down to believing him when he does something and three other sources confirm it.
>> Michael_gr said,
>> When is he going to get around to, you know, actually do stuff, as opposed to speaking and appearing on talk shows?
You mean like preventing an even worst depression than that last Great Depression?
That alone makes him 1000% better than Bush.
Gays are Americans
So, they deserve all the rights of Americans.
For me, it’s that simple.
It doesn’t matter if you or James Dobson think gays are icky. They are Americans… let them have their equal rights.
In all fairness, I’d be more than happy for the 60%-70% of gay people who behave normally to have “equal rights”.
Even gay people know a certain percentage of gay people act atrociously.
That’s really the barrier.
I don’t want state-endorsed weird shit in public or taught in the schools.
Go to any major city and the people who ruin the parks for families are gay men doing weird shit in the bushes or on the beaches or in the bathrooms.
I know those people aren’t the majority of gay people, but they’d use new found “rights” to cause more problems and do more lawsuits.
#79, I don’t recall giving you permission to talk to me until you answer why you would sacrifice others for your wife.
#83-Greg Allen-they (gays) deserve all the rights of Americans.
Homosexuals already have the same rights as other Americans, it’s the special rights that are in question.
What is it about deviant behavior that leads you to believe some people are more worthy of extra rights not afforded to everyone else?
#86, Loser,
Yup. You pulled it out of your butt. Just another lie from another idiot.
#84, Meyers,
From your post it appears you only want behavior that agrees with YOU.
I don’t see you criticizing heterosexuals because of what some do. I guess you don’t have a “red light” district where you live. I also don’t see you criticizing heterosexuals for what many think is deviant sexual behavior including exactly what homosexuals do.
No, it appears your tone is more bigoted than merely wanting safe sex. Missionary style. Woman’s legs straight on the bed. Lights turned out. Kids asleep. And married to each other.
#87-Mr Fusion-Just another lie from another idiot.
Is that so? Then tell me where I am wrong. The truth is you can’t as displayed by your insult over substance defense.
They’ve had gay marriage in MA for over 5 years now, I think. The idea that it has somehow “harmed” straight marriage is obviously ludicrous.
The next time someone tries to make that claim, ask them how it is that straight marriage in MA is alive and well.
What’s amusing to me when the gay issue comes up is speculating how many of the gay bashers are closet cases themselves. Right now Dodd is in the lead.
As far as gays in the military goes — inappropriate sexual conduct is inappropriate sexual conduct, no matter what kind it is. It should be dealt with appropriately. End of story. Doesn’t matter what orientation you are as long as you can keep it in your pants at the appropriate times.
#90-Phydeau-gay bashers must be gay
Is that the best you got? Geez, move along nothing to see here.
Dr. Dodd,
A right is something that the government cannot grant nor take away. It is already the case that homosexuals can fight for their country. That is a right. What is lacking, purely due to outdated religious notions, is their ability to fight for their country in the armed forces. If they are allowed to vote, they should be allowed to fight in the armed forces if they are physical capable. There is already a huge contingent of “don’t ask, don’t tell” homosexuals in the military. The whole policy is silly. If they want to fight for their country, let them.
#89, Dr. Dudd,
First, #87 was directed at Liberty Loser, not you.
BUT, since you seem to think homosexuals are deviant,
Homosexuals already have the same rights as other Americans, it’s the special rights that are in question.
What is it about deviant behavior that leads you to believe some people are more worthy of extra rights not afforded to everyone else?
So what are these special and extra rights anyone is asking for? You don’t make that clear yet it seems a recurring theme.
And by the way, they don’t have all the same rights as heterosexual people. In case you didn’t notice, they are only asking for the same rights accorded other members of society.
And for the “deviant” behavior, you didn’t define what is deviant and I do believe that was answered in my #88 to HMeyers.
#92-Thomas-It is already the case that homosexuals can fight for their country. That is a right.
Not exactly correct. Serving in the military is not a right. Many people that show up at the recruiting office are turned away.
They may not meet physical, mental or other stated requirements, but serving is not a right.
#94 The point is, simply being gay is not a valid reason to deny someone the privilege to serve in the military. As long as they don’t engage in inappropriate sexual conduct, a rule that covers everyone, they should be able to server.
Just because homosexuality makes people like you feel all icky inside, doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be allowed to serve.
Heck, being around right-wing nutcases makes me feel all icky inside, but I don’t deny them the right to serve their country.
#95-Phydeau-simply being gay is not a valid reason to deny someone the privilege to serve in the military.
Yes, it is.
The military is not the place for liberal social experimentation.
#96 liberal social experimentation
Just so you know, you’re making the same arguments that racial bigots made against letting blacks serve in the in the same units as whites.
But please elaborate. Why exactly is this “liberal social experimentation”? We know there are gay people in the military already. Do you deny that? Do you think soldiers don’t know who’s homosexual in their unit?
Please explain what horrible things would happen if openly homosexual soldiers were allowed to serve. Keep in mind that other countries allow homosexuals to serve openly and they have no problems. So are you saying that Americans are uniquely bigoted and couldn’t handle it? I’m all ears.
#97-Phydeau-Keep in mind that other countries allow homosexuals to serve openly and they have no problems.
No problems – How can you possibly say that?
Of course they have problems, but also have the luxury of the US military coming to the rescue when their token-social-military fails.
At least for now.
#97 Just so you know, you’re making the same arguments that racial bigots made against letting blacks serve in the in the same units as whites.
Hate to quote myself, but that gave me an idea. What do you think, Dodd — how about separate units for homosexuals? They could have their own quarters, their own officers, their own missions. You know, separate but equal, so straight soldiers who aren’t comfortable around homosexuals don’t need to have their delicate feelings hurt by thinking that some other soldier is (gasp!) looking at them with lust. Oh, those poor, poor soldiers and their oh so delicate feelings!
Yes, yes, separate but equal units is definitely the way to go.
#98 Do tell. Give us some hard evidence, pal. Evidence that shows military readiness has been affected in those countries by allowing blacks, whoops, gays I mean, in their military.
Otherwise you’re just showing your bigotry. You’re so bigoted that you just assume that they have problems.