Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: HRC goes after Obama
This post will be bitter by half. Let’s get the puppies and rainbows out of the way first. Bravo to Joe Solmonese and his letter to the President Barack Obama. While I still need some more info about Human Rights Campaign and the alleged deal on “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” always nice to see HRC send out something that isn’t about fund raising.
OK, here comes the bitta. Not clear who approves these HRC missives, but in the future, please stay away from this phrase. Please. As in pretty and please.
“I cannot overstate the pain that we feel as human beings and as families when we read an argument, presented in federal court, implying that our own marriages have no more constitutional standing than incestuous ones.”
The pain we feel. The pain we feel. Excuse me but a politician does not care one whit about pain, such as it is, unless it’s the pain of losing an election or not getting a contribution. Emotional attempts at empathy fall flat in the rough and tumble world of politics because it is a chip with no value. Sure it would have been nice if the person drafting and approving the DOMA defense actually thought about how the incest line would be read, but I also want some hair, Denzel to have won the Oscar for Malcolm X instead of Training Day, and HBO’s The Wire to have earned one Emmy acting nomination (while I’m on the topic here is something private to anyone who went gaga over The Sopranos but couldn’t give The Wire any Emmy loving: you are an idiot).
Obama, like any pol, responds to power or its threat. In the Solmonese letter there is nothing about consequences. Nada. What is HRC going to do if Obama doesn’t do anything about DADT or DOMA? If we are looking for change, then that is the question that must be answered. If not, Obama will do what all pols have done before him. Move on and search for other votes.
Also you didn’t touch on the fact that the whole letter is reactionary. Didn’t we learn anything from the no on 8 campaign? We need to be proactive. The letter should have included arguments as to why the administration should not defend DOMA, not just rebutting their arguments. Anyone ready for new leaders?
HRC should have told him, we will give no money to the DNC and will not vote for anyone a the national democratic ticket. It is time for them to put up or shut up!!!!
HRC and other groups should boycott the upcoming DNC fundraiser hosted by Barney Frank. Grab your megaphones yall.
I am weary of the media and individuals treating Mr. Obama with kid gloves. He made promises to our community, which he show no indication of keeping any time soon. There need to be consequences. My letter to Mr. Obama states that if he will not give us the things he promised, not only will I vote against him in the next election, I will campaign against him. What are we afraid of – that people won’t like us, that we will be denied equal rights? That is the current state of being in this country. Forty years ago, the Stonewall Riots woke the country up to some essential truths. We have the power IF, and in our community that is a big “if” we use it. How about some economic boycotts until we are taken seriously – no non-essential goods purchased for 30 days. Then, if that does not get results, do it for 60 days. We won’t get action until we make those in power = or their corporate supporters – hurt.
perhaps Bill Maher is right about Obama!!
James notice how nice Joe Solmonese looks in his pic and there you are commenting in a baby blue hoodie!!
I challenge you to turn this comment into one about my being racist!
Bruce,
You are tiring. Why you feel a need to compare my photo with Solmonese’s is beyond reason. I would hope he looks nice. The photo was shot at a HRC fund raiser. If you must know, mine was taken at a great NYC independent bookstore called bluestockings (you should go and get a few books to read).
Strange you have nothing to say about the other writers for this site and the photos they use with their articles. Instead my “blue hoodie” earns your ire because it doesn’t match the haberdashery of the HRC chair.
Please keep me informed about any other complaints you might have. Really. I can’t wait.
James
I think it is time that we hit em where it hurts, the wallet. If gay and lesbians withheld taxes, we could bring this country to it’s knees.
James,
I have made several comments over the years about other writers on here.
I brought forward the poll of the week that didn’t change for almost a month.
In your 10 random thoughts you asked what we thought of your picture and I have made my comment.
James your not a bad writer, your not a bad looking man. I just feel you are doing yourself a diservice by not presenting yourself in a positive light.
In our society image is very important as to how we are percieved.
I’m not saying that is a good thing , but it is how society is trending (LOL).
James …. put your best thoughts and foot forward!
Mike B… some are already planning a DEMONSTRATION against the June 25 BFrank love-a-thon… against OBAMA there. Go find active sites.
HRC is so very far from ACTIVE as to be a huge JOKE!… After all, he still thinks we want to hear him on radio!
I think the author is forgetting that the audience of this letter isn’t just Obama. It’s every voter. The emotional appeal will work with some voters, and that matters.
and here’s more on demonstrations at the DNC fundraiser dinner:
“Earlier today I posted (”Politely ask Barney Frank, Tammy Baldwin and Jared Polis why they are hosting a DNC fundraiser”) about the unbelievable Andrew Tobias e-blast recently sent out to gay donors — now known as the “10,400-square-foot spa” letter — in late May that urged donors to attend and fill the DNC’s coffers with queer dollars. And the administration and the DNC are doing all they can to ensure all the lavish hobnobbing with the Vice President will go smoothly — in support of an administration and Congress that treats LGBT issues like the plague.
Well this gala is not going to go unnoticed or represent business as usual because of the outrage over legislative apathy on the Hill, contempt and demonization coming out of the White House with its DOJ hate brief defending DOMA. There are protests plans to take place outside the posh venue that evening, and it won’t be business as usual inside the Mandarin Oriental hotel either. The DNC is running scared.
Organizers, I’m told, are scrambling to get visible White House action on gay issues in advance of the June 25 dinner to prevent it from becoming a protest stage.
Inside the venue, there will be activism that will cause a bit of agita for organizers.”
MITCHELL GOLD SAYS He will go to DINNER to convery:
“We must:
1. Draw the connection of the root cause of the discrimination against the LGBT community – it is religion based bigotry. When Obama and Biden talk about marriage between a man and a woman, the roots of those beliefs are in their religious teachings and that is what they are espousing….religion based bigotry.
2. Educate about the traumatic harm that is caused to over 1 million LGBT teens TODAY….right this moment. I realize many of you might not like to talk about the painful memories of your past. While putting CRISIS together I came to learn how I had to pry it out of some of our best known leaders. But NOW is the time to make certain this administration and congress know the pain and suffering that exists…and even suicides that occur because LGBT people are marginalized in this great country of ours. If I read one more post, one more open letter, hear one more speech that leaves these kids out, my hair will catch on fire. STOP FORGETTING ABOUT THEM!
3. Make it known that in America today, the bigotry against us is unacceptable. Witness Rick Warren at the inauguration. And part of the fault lies within our own groups. They are afraid to stand up and call bigotry for what it is.”
If you’re going to criticize writing, even if it is just in the comments section, you should know the following (just so, you know, you’re not perceived as, kind of, well, uneducated):
you are = you’re
you’re != your
BIGOTRY, hidden behind the religious cross. You can dress it anyway you want to but the fact remains that it is still bigotry.
Having church as a part of one’s life is everyone’s right and choice. But, it should NOT be forced on those who disagree. You can sing “praise Jesus” until the cows come home but that will NOT make what the Christian Taliban tries to foist upon eveyone else the right thing to do.
Keep your bloody church OUT OF MY LIFE.
Please Obama’s response to DOMA is just plain bigotry and unconstitutional. Here’s what I’m doing, and I’m advocating that you do it too:
1. call the white house switchboard at 202-456-1414 or 202-456-111, and tell the operator how much you disagree with this decision
2. change party affiliation to independent; advocate that every gay person you know do same
3. require our elected officials to provide us with our rights FIRST then we’ll vote for him or her
Anything less than the above is just insane!