Gay group responds to Obama, again

Posted: Monday, June 15, 2009 3:34 PM by Mark Murray
Filed Under: White House, Barack Obama

From NBC's Mark Murray
On Friday, we wrote that gay-rights groups -- like the Human Rights Campaign -- were criticizing a legal brief the Obama administration filed defending the Defense of Marriage Act, which then-candidate Barack Obama promised to repeal.

Well, HRC President Joe Solmonese keeps up the criticism, this time in a letter today to Obama.

It concludes:

As an American, a civil rights advocate, and a human being, I hold this administration to a higher standard than this brief. In the course of your campaign, I became convinced—and I still want to believe—that you do, too. I have seen your administration aspire and achieve. Protecting women from employment discrimination. Insuring millions of children. Enabling stem cell research to go forward. These are powerful achievements. And they serve as evidence to me that this brief should not be good enough for you. The question is, Mr. President—do you believe that it’s good enough for us?

If we are your equals, if you recognize that our families live the same, love the same, and contribute as much as yours, then the answer must be no.

The Obama administration contends that, in court, it typically defends the statutes on the books -- even the ones it disagrees with and is trying to repeal.

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Comments

Obama just pandered to the gay community to get their vote. Obama has a muslim/christian background. We all know how muslims view gays. Obama's christian background was rooted by his self proclaimed mentor Jeremiah Wright. If you think Jeremiah Wright is a bigot against Jews, you should see the statements he's made against gays.

DG, Houston, TX (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:42 PM)

President Obama has to support the gay rights movement to get gay marriage sanctioned as law for all 50 states and to stop the ignorant don't ask don't tell garbage that is losing us good soldiers and costing us taxpyers wasted investments in them. It's a matter of civil rights and it's about time to stop the fearmongering liars of the right from scaring people that it would be the end of the world if we have fair marriage for all and we keep our gay warriors in uniform.

Obama needs to keep his campaign promise to repeal this bigotted garbage so we can move on to other more pressing matters and let the limpwristed conservative crybabies whine baby whine!

In Obama We Trust!
Lakers are Champs! Yes They Did!

Eric, Salinas, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:44 PM)

You wanna talk about descrimination and other stupid stuff well how about recent comments by Rep. Rusty De Pass (R of course)SC who upon hearing of a gorilla escaping captivity commented that the gorilla was like one of Michelle Obama's ancestors. How outrageous can he get? And the Republican party leadership says that there is plenty of room for everybody in their circus tent. It looks like there is no room for gorillas or the distinguished and intellegent (more brain in her little toe than De Pass has in his entire body plus 2 or 3 more Republicans thrown in for good measure) First Lady of the United States.

eagle1776 (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:48 PM)

I don't care; this group is so freakin whiny. They want Obama to do all their hard work.

They are slowly losing support from people who were on their side.

Please stop the Whining (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:49 PM)

The Obama administration contends that, in court, it typically defends the statutes on the books -- even the ones it disagrees with and is trying to repeal.

We debated this issue on Friday...There are laws that the office of the presidency must abide by. It has nothing to say about the none support of gay rights.

But when you are accustomed to dealing with "cow boy" style politics, then you wouldn't have any idea wht "real" law is about. This is BS statement. He knows that Republicans are definately against gay rights.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:50 PM)

The job of the executive is to defend and enforce eh law even those that they are advocating changing (in the proper venue - Congress).

HRC had better take hear. It will surely happen. 8 years was a long time but surely they'd let things be done the proper way since we are a country of laws.

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:50 PM)

If you think Jeremiah Wright is a bigot against Jews, you should see the statements he's made against gays.
---
As cuckoo as Wright is becoming this is a lie against him. the church was very accomodating to openly serving gays in capacities including as choir master. Just make it up (in fairness to you, you did say ...you should see the statements he's made against gays... which means not really accusing of anything).

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:55 PM)

Everyone wants their pay off now. It is a very big tent to deal with though, isn't it Obama? Not enough favors or money to give to everyone now is there?

P. Paige, Ky (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 3:57 PM)

Unemployment at highest levels, Healthcare cost rising and crippling the middle class, two wars still going on, but if we listen to the far left , the president should spend its time looking for blood and revenge from the former admistration and pouring fuel on the culture wars. The left will always eat its own. Thanks God President Obama is not listenning these fools.

joe, Lancaster, Ca (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:02 PM)

how about recent comments by Rep. Rusty De Pass (R of course)SC who upon hearing of a gorilla escaping captivity commented that the gorilla was like one of Michelle Obama's ancestors

You must have been outraged when the chairman of the SC democratic party (D of course) said Palin's only qualification is she hadn't had an abortion. Since after all you appear to be so darn concerned about inappopriate statements and all.

Can't be outraged by one and not the other (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:03 PM)

CHENEY ACTUALLY PROMISED TO ATTACK U.S. IN 2004:
http://www.theonion.com/content/node/30742

"If the wrong man is elected in November, the nation will come under a devastating armed attack of an unimaginable magnitude, one planned and executed by none other than myself," Cheney said, speaking at a rally in Greensboro, NC. "When they go to the polls, Americans must weigh this fact and decide if our nation can ignore such a grave threat."

J. Richter (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:04 PM)

Marriage is not a civil right. It's a religious right. It seems every media outlet the Gay community employs gets it wrong. If a gay couple were to get married in a recognized religious ceremony the state would have to honor it under the first amendenment. There are relgious groups that feel gay marriage is fine...now civil unions (which should be the only legal contract between two consenting adults offered by any government) should be offered to anyone who wants it. Marriage however is the domain of Religions. The gay community is being quite lazy in my opinion trying to simply bypass legislation to create rights that don't exist. If the federal government decides to no longer recognize any marriage it is within it's power to do so. I can't take the cause to seriously when the people fighting allow their emotions to outweigh the need to understand the rules.

Jonathan Flint, mi (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:05 PM)

We debated this issue on Friday...There are laws that the office of the presidency must abide by. It has nothing to say about the none support of gay rights.

But when you are accustomed to dealing with "cow boy" style politics, then you wouldn't have any idea wht "real" law is about. This is BS statement. He knows that Republicans are definately against gay rights.
-----------------------------------------------------
What does that statement by a gay rights group have to do with Republicans, Anita?

The lengths you go to to defend Obama are unbelievable. He's dragging his feet on this and anyone can see it.

George Costanza (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:05 PM)

Obama is outright lying. Obama doesn't have to defend the law and in fact he hasn't defended other laws:
http://www.aclu.org/drugpolicy/gen/10903prs20050126.html
All Obama had to do was send Congress a memo that he wasn't going to defend the law.

Dave, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:05 PM)

DG, I agree with you that Obama was pandering, but you're not accurately characterizing his religious background. He is not, in any sense, a Muslim. Though Jeremiah Wright has expressed opposition to gay marriage, he has also spoken in favor of equal rights for gays on other occasions, and he has preached LGBT-inclusive messages from the pulpit. (Source: Windy City Times 2008-03-26, "Rev. Jeremiah Wright Gets LGBT Support.) Remember, Trinity Church is a UCC church. The UCC is the denomination that ran television ads about welcoming gay people.

Rob (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:09 PM)

BoBo got what he wanted from the gays - thier vote.

And unless they are large contributors, large legal firms or book dealers - they will get NOTHING from him.

I believe the term is "$uckers"
No pun intended

The good news for the gays - your not alone - he lied to all of us.

I personally feel the gays (my daughter is) should have all the rights and protection the rest have. I dont care if they marry or divorce (done that twice)
I also, hoped that BoBo would mean what he said - just more lies from the clown.

BoBo the Prez (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:11 PM)

J. Richter wrote: "As cuckoo as Wright is becoming"

Becoming? Wow. I always suspected many libs of agreeing with his "G*******M America", US Govt created AIDS and crack" etc...garbage. Let's all be thankful nobody who will ever be in a position of political power was ever a disicple of his....Oh wait!

Jesse J., Chicago, IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:14 PM)

Let's just chill, folks (I've always wanted to say that, just never had the right opportunity or been hip enough.) Bill Clinton made a huge mistake by putting don't ask don't tell at the beginning of his agenda. I'm not downplaying the priority of this issue, but it is not life or death. Let's wait until all the fuss quiets down over the economy and health care. I'm sure President Obama has not forgotten this, but I trust his sense of timing more than HRC or my gay friends.
Please, have faith.

Tim Stocken, Highland Lakes, NJ (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:15 PM)

Rob - DG, I agree with you that Obama was pandering, but you're not accurately characterizing his religious background. He is not, in any sense, a Muslim.

you're going to have to pick a side Rob. The media plays games with the Obama Muslim thing when Obie is over in the middle-east, trying to make it seem he can better relate to the Muslims, because he's had "A Muslim upbringing."

So either he does have insight, or he doesn't.

Moshuun M. (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:16 PM)

What does that statement by a gay rights group have to do with Republicans, Anita?

The lengths you go to to defend Obama are unbelievable. He's dragging his feet on this and anyone can see it.
George Costanza
-----------------------------------------
How can this not be your parties handi work? So all gay people are Democrats...right? We aren't stupid you know. We debated this issue on Friday this is not new NEWS. Didn't you read the bottom of the clip. This is the same statement it is Friday's response from the Administration.
The minute the President doesn't do anything according to the law (unlike Bush), you people will be all over him like stink on s***.

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:18 PM)

Dog Pile (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:18 PM)

As a gay man, I didn't believe Obama when he said he would rescind DOMA any more than I believed Clinton when he said he would repeal the ban on gays in the military. It's all good for campaigning, but it is political suicide to actually live up to.

Leave it for the courts to handle (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:18 PM)

The lengths you go to to defend Obama are unbelievable. He's dragging his feet on this and anyone can see it.
George Costanza (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:05 PM)

Oh yeah, well the jerk store called, they're running out of you!

C. Kramer (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:19 PM)

George Costanza:
P.S. Obama didn't say that he supports "gay marriage", he supports "civil unions".

Anita, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:25 PM)

Stop Your Whining wrote: "I don't care; this group is so freakin whiny. They want Obama to do all their hard work. They are slowly losing support from people who were on their side."
---------------

Whiney? Gee, I wonder how "whiney" you'd be if you were disallowed from marrying the person you loved, disallowed from serving in the country you loved, disallowed from adopting children or from holding a job without the fear of discrimination, or from being recognized as a second-class citizen in a country that was founded on the principle equal rights for all... I'm sure you'd just sit back quietly, right?

Scott, Seattle, WA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:28 PM)

"Marriage is not a civil right. It's a religious right."

Actually that is incorrect. Religious institutions were grated the ability to perform marriages in an effort to allow couple who wanted to get married the ability to do so without waiting up to 4 years in some cases. Marriage, has to be ratified by the government in order for it to be legal. Circuit Courts were just that, they ran the 'circuit'. In other words they traveled. In today's modern times they no longer have to do that, obviously.

Ask the Roman Catholic, or even the Episcopal church leaders, and they will tell you, they can perform the marriage, all they really do is bless it. There still has to be an official governmental stamp to make it valid. They will not lie to you about it.

Marriage is a legal binding contract between two people. The religions bless it.

CrazyCelt (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:30 PM)

Josh, Denver (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:30 PM)

Dave:
In the your Marijuana-related example, a federal court has ruled that particular law to be unconstitutional, and so it is struck down. The DOJ should not waste time and resources appealing when they feel that they don't have a case, ie. a bad law to begin with. Obama has repeatedly opposed calls for legalization, its not like he's following a pattern here.

The DOMA has not been ruled unconstitutional, so DOJ is obliged to enforce it, despite personal feelings of the chief executive. Unfortunately, it is up to congress to repeal DOMA.

Alex, Berkeley, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:35 PM)

I'm not going to go into the marriage equality issue except to say its a civil right, and anyone else who disagrees is a bigot and should move to Iran.

As for Obama...he said a lot of stuff to my community, the gay community, to get our votes, and so far, he's not said a single thing let alone get those promises done. I don't want to hear that he's got other stuff on his plate. He said it himself to McCain that the president has to be able to do more than one thing at a time. PASS ENDA already! The votes are there! Repeal the key provisions of DOMA! The votes are there! Get with the program already!

pat huntington ny (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:36 PM)

Obama is a politician, nothing more nothing less. Why should anyone be suprised when he acts like a politician? We will see if he turns out to be a good one.

Jim (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:37 PM)

Obama has been a little slow on DADT and defending DOMA is not good

But, let's hold off on the 'culture wars' for a while

Hopefully, Obama can handle the economy, Health Care and Sotomayor in a few months and then turn his attention to gay issues

I don't think that there will bwe a national gay marriage bill
It's just not in he cards
Better to go state by state until a certain mass of states that approve gay marriage is gained
What's up with New York ?
Is the State Senate shenanigans due to Gay Marriage ??

California may for on Marriage in 2010
It'll take a much better campaign than last time

MSierra, SF (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:39 PM)

Gay marriage is a civil right. A civil right. No different than any of the other civil rights we have in this country. President Obama's personal feelings about this are of no interest to me.

People are entitled to marry whomever they choose. This is going to be a problem if it reaches the Supreme Court. All those Catholics on the bench will have no sympathy or regard for this issue. And that is a shame.

Pat, Boston, MA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:44 PM)

Gee, I wonder how "whiney" you'd be if you were disallowed from marrying the person you loved, disallowed from serving in the country you loved
------------------------------------------------------
And therein lies the great myth. Gays are not disallowed from serving their country. Gays can join the military all they want. They just can't talk about their sexual orientation at work. Something I as a heterosexual don't do, so I don't know why it's an issue for gays.
But if they're determined to serve their country in uniform there's not a damn thing stopping them.

Let's all hug now (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:48 PM)

C Kramer at 4:19,

I actually laughed out loud at your comment-good one!

George Costanza (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:49 PM)

Alex,

Actually the DoJ can say DOMA is unconsitutional. They aren't required to lie to the judiciary by falsely claiming something is constitutional when they don't think it is. Obama took on oath to uphold the constitution (amongst others in the government), but you are saying he's required to break that oath.

Dave, CA (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:50 PM)

If we are your equals, if you recognize that our families live the same, love the same, and contribute as much as yours.......... hold the phone the Obama'a aman and women produced two daughters, something two men or women could never CONTRIBUTE to society.

Chuck burnz, St> Paul , MN (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:50 PM)

Everyone I know has agreed to withhold financial support (as well as votes) from the DNC until gay Americans have the same basic civil rights as heterosexuals. What's the point of having a Democrat in office if they sit idly by--or worse, actively fight against your equality.

If this is what life is under the Democrats, I'd rather get the Republicans back in office. I'd still have no civil rights, but at least we'd spend less.

CJC970 (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:57 PM)

DG,

The Rev. Jeremiah Wright is a strong advocate for equality of Gays and Lesbians. His church, Trinity United Church of Christ, performs same-sex unions.

John, Denver (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 4:59 PM)

DADT is not the most important issue on the Pres's plate nor should it be. They knew the rules when they enlisted in the military. They are just "acting up" now trying to force his hand. I am glad he is not bowing to their pressure. I fully support Gay rights and all human rights but this kind of pressure tactic won't work. Who are they going to vote for if they don't vote for Obama? The thugs? Yeah right

maria, los angeles, california (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 5:00 PM)

Looking at the two photos you’ve got up under the Cheney, McCain Hit back at Panetta thread…\

Is it just me… or do these two dudes look like they’ve got themselves some serious anger management issues??

Feisty Redhead Roselle,IL (Sent Monday, June 15, 2009 5:03 PM)

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