Just this evening I received another annoying call from the Democrat Congressional Committee looking for money - I had received one yesterday as well when I had asked that my name be removed from their calling list. I explained to tonight's caller that until there was REAL action by the White House and Congressional Democrats on LGBT issues, neither I or the boyfriend would be contributing a dime. The caller threw the Hate Crimes Act at me and acted as if that should keep LGBT voters happy for some time to come. At the point he got nasty and tried to use the GOP as a bogey man, I hung up. It is becoming increasingly clear that the current administration plans to do nothing for LGBT Americans other than play games and try to milk our community for money. Personally, it makes me livid and it is clear that LGBT voters need to send a LOUD message to Obama, et al, that we are not buying what they are selling. The Advocate has a story on an emergency meeting that purportedly took place concerning DADT and the signs that the Pentagon wants gays thrown under the bus yet again. Here are some highlights: *
The Advocate has learned that a closed-door meeting of about 20-25 LGBT advocates took place Wednesday at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington to discuss strategy for repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” at this critical juncture, according to multiple sources who agreed only to speak on the condition of anonymity.
*
The two-hour-long meeting was unusual in that it assembled the advisers to major LGBT political donors from outside the Beltway such as Tim Gill, Jon Stryker, and David Bohnett alongside D.C.-based lobby groups such as HRC, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and the Center for American Progress plus the California-based Palm Center as well as lobbyists with ties to the White House and Congress.
*
The gathering resulted from a growing sense of urgency that 2010 is a make-or-break moment for repealing the military’s gay ban and that the White House would likely make a decision about how to move forward on “don’t ask, don’t tell” sometime in the next several weeks.
*
Participants declined to discuss specific strategy with The Advocate but said they mulled over how LGBT leaders would proceed if the White House decided to make a strong push for repeal or, alternatively, if it took a pass on the issue this year. One source said LGBT leaders had sent “strong signals” to the White House that they want repeal to happen this year and that there would be “repercussions” if it did not. The source would not say what form those repercussions might take.
*
The Advocate has learned that a closed-door meeting of about 20-25 LGBT advocates took place Wednesday at the Human Rights Campaign headquarters in Washington to discuss strategy for repealing “don’t ask, don’t tell” at this critical juncture, according to multiple sources who agreed only to speak on the condition of anonymity.
*
The two-hour-long meeting was unusual in that it assembled the advisers to major LGBT political donors from outside the Beltway such as Tim Gill, Jon Stryker, and David Bohnett alongside D.C.-based lobby groups such as HRC, Servicemembers Legal Defense Network, and the Center for American Progress plus the California-based Palm Center as well as lobbyists with ties to the White House and Congress.
*
The gathering resulted from a growing sense of urgency that 2010 is a make-or-break moment for repealing the military’s gay ban and that the White House would likely make a decision about how to move forward on “don’t ask, don’t tell” sometime in the next several weeks.
*
Participants declined to discuss specific strategy with The Advocate but said they mulled over how LGBT leaders would proceed if the White House decided to make a strong push for repeal or, alternatively, if it took a pass on the issue this year. One source said LGBT leaders had sent “strong signals” to the White House that they want repeal to happen this year and that there would be “repercussions” if it did not. The source would not say what form those repercussions might take.
*
Personally, I have lost all confidence that Obama can be trusted. He's slick, he makes pretty speeches, but then does nothing. Short of a repeal of DADT and/or passage of ENDA this year, I may well sit out the 2010 elections and encourage others to do likewise. True, the GOP would do nothing for LGBT Americans, but when given a once in a generation opportunity, neither have the Democrats. The GOP denigrates us and the Democrats lie to us - it's a case of pick your poison. Pam Spaulding is likewise pretty put out with the Obama administration and let loose today on her blog. Here are samples of her thoughts:
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I think it's ironic when the gay netroots have been calling for action for a long time (The "No Excuses" theme regarding action on our issues was not created in HRC's shop, btw) and have been chastised endlessly for the lack of patience -- "he's only been in office __ months." Well now our leaders are pissed, (and, now many progressives as well) about getting the shaft by Congress and the White House. They are late to the game.
We sad little know-nothings in Cheetos-stained pajamas saw this coming, but hey -- we're just rubes, politically unsophisticated, you know. Just not smart enough to understand how it all works. Well, thankfully our movement's movers and shakers are finally waking up to political reality -- the cocktails for a few came along with a big "talk to the hand" for everyone else. Our community (or rather, those who do have access) must be seen seen as easy to buy off and stall.
*
Our movement has wasted the opening months of this administration trying to denigrate voices from the outside who knew our civil rights were going to get backburnered because of 1) health care, 2) the endless military debacles, 3) all other progressive causes waiting in line that have been out in the cold for years. The only way to move ahead in the line when it comes to civil rights and a group -- LGBTs -- is to stop the glad handing and to have a plan, not fret over the gay netroots.
*
The bottom line is that LGBT rights are not seen by the vast majority of potential allies as worthy of moving up the action chain because of the baseless perception that we are a political liability for elected officials and not really hurting. The black tie gladhanding is not seen as any indicator that hardball politics is going to be played. These elected officials drained our ATM to get elected. They work for us. The shuffling and tap dancing time is over, people.
*
I think it's ironic when the gay netroots have been calling for action for a long time (The "No Excuses" theme regarding action on our issues was not created in HRC's shop, btw) and have been chastised endlessly for the lack of patience -- "he's only been in office __ months." Well now our leaders are pissed, (and, now many progressives as well) about getting the shaft by Congress and the White House. They are late to the game.
We sad little know-nothings in Cheetos-stained pajamas saw this coming, but hey -- we're just rubes, politically unsophisticated, you know. Just not smart enough to understand how it all works. Well, thankfully our movement's movers and shakers are finally waking up to political reality -- the cocktails for a few came along with a big "talk to the hand" for everyone else. Our community (or rather, those who do have access) must be seen seen as easy to buy off and stall.
*
Our movement has wasted the opening months of this administration trying to denigrate voices from the outside who knew our civil rights were going to get backburnered because of 1) health care, 2) the endless military debacles, 3) all other progressive causes waiting in line that have been out in the cold for years. The only way to move ahead in the line when it comes to civil rights and a group -- LGBTs -- is to stop the glad handing and to have a plan, not fret over the gay netroots.
*
The bottom line is that LGBT rights are not seen by the vast majority of potential allies as worthy of moving up the action chain because of the baseless perception that we are a political liability for elected officials and not really hurting. The black tie gladhanding is not seen as any indicator that hardball politics is going to be played. These elected officials drained our ATM to get elected. They work for us. The shuffling and tap dancing time is over, people.
1 comment:
Entiendo tu enfando Michael, los demócratas han traicionado a la propia comunidad LGTB en New york y New Jersey, es una vergüenza de partido.
¿que más debo decirte? no se...pues que creo que ustedes los gays americanos tienen por delante y muy dura batalla para poder alcanzar la igualdad de derechos porque seamos sinceros Michael (¿cómo debería llamarte? ¿Mr Hamar? ahh, es verdad que ya no estás casado, pero como eres mayor que yo..) luchar estado por estado es una locura y ciudad por ciudad es de locos. Pero ¿por qué se abusa tanto en nombre de la ley en USA? En nombre de la ley se han oprimido a mucha gente en la historia de los USA. Otra cosa muy extraña que veo en el sistema legislativo americano es lo difícil que es hacr una ley y peor aún, que los estos las respeten. ¿por qué aquí en europa hacer leyes es tan fácil y allí tan sumamente complicado?
Según lo que veo yo, una rama legislativa muy débil y un poder ejecutivo muy fuerte y unos estados demasiado independientes, entonces ¿que son los Estados Unidos de América? Ninguna República Federal del mundo es así (Alemania, ni Australia).
Además de que a tí al parecer no te importa de que los repúblicanos vuelvan al poder, bueno, eso es comprensible, viendo lo poco que hacen los demócratas por los LGTB Americans.
Salud y libertad. ¡Ánimo Mr. Hamar!
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