Zack Ford is a yound blogger from a far different generation than I am. But we both have something in common: we've come to beleive that Barack Obama and the Democrats cannot be trusted to do right by LGBT Americans. And yes, we have compared notes and communicated with each other directly. Zack has a piece cross posted at Pam's House Blend that looks at the troubling reality of the Obama administration on LGBT issues. Oh sure, Obama's defenders will rush to his defence and point out the "Cinderella crumbs" that Obama has thrown to the LGBT community in the form an appoint of an LGBT individual to some executive branch post or the implementation of some pro-gay policy that can be immediately undone by his successor. On the big issues, what has Obama delivered? Nothing. Moreover, if one listens carefully to some of what Obama says, it is beyond troubling - especially his wishy washy statement on sexual orientation being a choice. I guess the positions of EVERY legitimate medicala nd mental health care association isn;t enough to make this a no brainer for our liar-in-chief. He may say he's our "fierce advocate," but watching his actions versus disingenuous statements tells the lie of this claim. Here are some highlights from Zack's piece:*
At an MTV Town Hall this afternoon, President Obama answered several questions about the LGBT community, Don't Ask Don't Tell, and bullying/cyber-bullying. It was full of spin and a complete lack of conviction about the LGBT community. Not only was it as if he just learned what sexual orientation is last week, it was also as if he knew less about our identities than the way he talked about us back during the campaign. He also ignores addressing gender identity, gender presentation, or transgender people at all, despite being asked about them.
*
According to Kevin Jennings, Assistant Deputy Secretary for the Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools (and GLSEN founder): The Department of Education has funds set aside for any school in crisis including bullying and harassment. They just have to ask for our assistance. It is unclear whether these funds actually exist, whether any school administrators even know about them, how they are even accessed, and whether they have ever been distributed. . . . So, what are you really doing to help make schools safer, Mr. President? Holding meetings without concrete results. That's not saving our LGBTQ youth.
*
Then, Obama was asked whether being gay or trans was a choice. Here is his incredibly weak response which completely ignores trans people. I am not obviously -- I don't profess to be an expert. This is a layperson's opinion. But I don't think it's a choice. . . . He doesn't think it's a choice. This is troubling. Maybe other people think other things, and that's okay.
*
The answer is no. Being gay is not a choice. AND being trans is not a choice. There is scientific consensus on these points. There's a problem with his implication people can still have differing opinions on this. This is not a fierce answer; it's an answer that panders to people who "think" (believe) something different. And yes, it really is a big deal that he left trans issues unaddressed.
*
The final relevant question was about DADT. In fact, it specifically addressed issuing an executive order to end discharges. The President totally dodged the question. . . . While it's true that the President cannot "simply end the policy," he can simply end implementation of the policy for as long as he is President. There is no good reason that he cannot use an executive order to suspend discharges until he accomplishes repeal. He has refused to address this as he did again in this answer. He also shared some of the same bunk from the DOJ's application for an emergency stay filed earlier today [yesterday]
*
Not only does he [Obama] have the choice not to enforce and defend laws he finds unconstitutional, there is a very relevant precedent for it. John Aravosis already beat me to making this point this evening, but let me refer to his other post from earlier today: I've just been sent a White House transcript from 1996 showing the Clinton administration, explaining in detail, how it was not going to defend in court any cases kicking HIV+ service members out of the military because it believed the law requiring such discharges to be unconstitutional. Did you get that? The President (President Clinton) did exactly what The President (President Obama) refused to do today.
*
Zack does a great job of pointing out what Joe Solmonese and other Democrat enablers don't want said. The Democrats and Obama continue to actively betray LGBT Americans yet expect LGBT voters to rush out and vote for their sorry asses so that we can have more of this bullshit from the president. I don't think so. Betrayal must have a consequence even if in the short term it helps our enemies in the GOP. We as a community will achieve our goals only when we have sufficient anger to stop being played for fools and simpletons by our supposed "friends."
No comments:
Post a Comment