im happy but until he stops defending DOMA and DADT ill be more inclinded to support him. Its bad enough I don't like almost ANY of his policy and think he doesnt have the balls God gave a gnat and I voted for the other guy. hillary was right about him. ive said it from the beginning and if he doesnt grow a set soon the demcorats can kiss their majority goodbye.
This is great news with 4 republicans voting for it and the balance of the party of no voting against it. Go repugs, your boat is getting closer and closer to sinking !!! Some of you guys need to be more patient about getting things done for we gays, there are a lot bigger issues at stake now than our interests, such as our military guys and gals whose futures are at stake depending on Obama's measured and agonizing decisions. Also are all those folks whose health and future financial stabilty depends on healthcare reforms being passed. Things are moving in the right direction for us and patience will prove worthwhile, I am sure. So give it time.
Anto saidObama needs to do a lot more than sign something that a bunch of other people worked to put through onto his desk..
Amen
So when Congress doesn't come through on something Obama promised... it's Obama's fault.
And when Congress does come through.... you don't give him any credit.
Double standard, any one?? Jesus...
This is amazing news! I'm thrilled we finally managed to get an inclusive hate crimes bill through Congress. Baby steps toward a better future.
Since we have a troll, I figure I'll be open with the email I got from him and my response and let my response stand as my reply to this.
"From: t0theheights To: Ryan_Andrew Subject: Matt Shepherd Act... Date:Oct 22, 2009 at 9:11 PM
So when Congress doesn't come through on something Obama promised... it's Obama's fault.
And when Congress does come through.... you don't give him any credit.
Double standard, any one?? Jesus..."
My reply: "Im just curious how you derived that that would be my opinion. That hate crime bill has been in the works for YEARS. Actually since the Bush administration and the fact that the democrats had to circumvent the republicans by placing it in to a Defense apparitions bill says something about the votes being there for it. If it was so important why not have the president or ANYONE for that matter come out and push it as an independent bill? Just something to think about. He hardly promised anything about this bill. He just said he would sign it. Im hoping he signs it and does more. Congress might not do something he promised however it would be much better and I would give him far more credit if I saw him going down there and getting the democrats all up in one room and actually bitching them out and getting them to go with what he wants since after all he is the big dog or rather supposed to be. You troll dude. Don't put words or ASSumptions in my mouth without fully understanding something. If you'd like a clarification than ask for one."
One more thing: I have a case building against a neighbor whom among other things to has been rather racial to my family and but now attacking me and threatening me for being gay and insinuated that he would do something to me outside a known gay establishment (luckily that I don't frequent). So prop to it getting down now I have something to after his ass with however still... much more needs to be done. Example... turn over DOMA, over turn DADT, and don't have Eric Holder sending in someone to write briefs or support either policy if you wish for them to be over turned.
Diffident_Sunshine saidI'll believe it when he does it. He has been all bark and no bite afterall. thanks though.
He will sign this one. This one is easy and will not create much of a public uproar. We will have to wait and see what he does if ending DADT and DOMA and anti-discrimination in adoption makes it to his desk.
Obama's already promised to sign it soon. Thankfully we have a president who is enlightened enough to embrace this legislation (unlike the last one, who pledged to veto it...).
Obama's going to sign this bill as soon as he gets it because this gives him cover for the poor performance he's given for us on gay issues with little political cost His signing a hate crimes bill isn't going to get him any bad press or cost him any political capital unlike that for DADT or asking for the repeal of DOMA
Please don't take my statement in the wrong way. Reading the last few posts, though, I'm reminded this IS attached to the Defense Appropriations Bill, is it not? I'd imagine the bigger issue in the President's not signing the Bill would be the undermining of the military personnel involved in two wars at this time, not holding up on the bill because of the Hate Crimes addendum that would pass along with the appropriations. I doubt this President would send the Bill back.
If your neighbor has threatened you with bodily harm that is considered and terrorist threat and you should consult the authorities and the have to act on it. It's federal law. You already have all the evidence you need. Have you even conatcted the authorities. You should also file a TRO(temporary restraining order)
t0theheights saidObama's already promised to sign it soon. Thankfully we have a president who is enlightened enough to embrace this legislation (unlike the last one, who pledged to veto it...).
And on that note... a more conservative congress last session actually passed it however as you just said BUSH vetoed it. So tell me what gain was actually made? If im not mistake too the last time it passed as a single bill by itself and not attached to anything.
If your neighbor has threatened you with bodily harm that is considered and terrorist threat and you should consult the authorities and the have to act on it. It's federal law. You already have all the evidence you need. Have you even conatcted the authorities. You should also file a TRO(temporary restraining order)
Better than than that... I have video and audio of it. PD is working on it. Im waiting for O to sign this. Should be more than enough though to kick him and the horse he rode in on outta here. Also know that I live in Texas. =|
ha are you serious? wow... id like to know where and how he has proven that to you cause I know for certain more than this inquiring mind would like to know. HELL... EVEN SNL WOULD LIKE TO KNOW!
Yay thrill. A piece of legislation that is purely symbolic managed to pass a Congress controlled by a super-majority of Democrats. I'm glad we spent so much political captial on legislation that won't better anyone's life. I don't oppose it, but it isn't meaningful in any way.
Now the Democratic leadership can pretend like it actually has done something for the gay community when in fact they haven't done anything meaningful to improve the lives of the gay community. Do we honestly think it will be easier to pass meaningful legislation like marriage reform or being able to openly serve, during an election year?
I don't want to hear that they have to much on their plates. They control Congress with a super-majority. They will never have a better opportunity than now. I am tired of being placated.
The President could end all DODT investigations by executive order, bypassing Congress entirely. Yet, he hasn't done so.
To me it is clear that the Democratic leadership doesn't take gay rights seriously, and as such I will not vote for them or give them one penny until they show me that they are, in fact, serious about it.
In 2007, law enforcement agencies reported 1,460 hate crime offenses based on sexual-orientation bias. Of these offenses:
* 59.2 percent were classified as anti-male homosexual bias. * 24.8 percent were reported as anti-homosexual bias. * 12.6 percent were prompted by an anti-female homosexual bias. * 1.8 percent were the result of an anti-heterosexual bias. * 1.6 percent were classified as anti-bisexual bias."
..so we think this legislation is, in fact, pretty meaningful.
hockeytiger saidYay thrill. A piece of legislation that is purely symbolic managed to pass a Congress controlled by a super-majority of Democrats. I'm glad we spent so much political captial on legislation that won't better anyone's life. I don't oppose it, but it isn't meaningful in any way.
Now the Democratic leadership can pretend like it actually has done something for the gay community when in fact they haven't done anything meaningful to improve the lives of the gay community. Do we honestly think it will be easier to pass meaningful legislation like marriage reform or being able to openly serve, during an election year?
I don't want to hear that they have to much on their plates. They control Congress with a super-majority. They will never have a better opportunity than now. I am tired of being placated.
The President could end all DODT investigations by executive order, bypassing Congress entirely. Yet, he hasn't done so.
To me it is clear that the Democratic leadership doesn't take gay rights seriously, and as such I will not vote for them or give them one penny until they show me that they are, in fact, serious about it.
Ha brother your savings is about to get bigger. Take me on an Atlantis cruse with ya, lol. jk. You basically said everything that Dan Savage said on Anderson Cooper 360 last night. It is symbolic but still like I said... passed once on its own by an even more conservative congress once.... this wasn't a ZOMG! NO WAY! moment in American politics. Its a good thing but still... Id like to have my hubby already as Im sure you would to or even to serve openly in the military since I am highly considering joining the Coast Guard.
This bill was not passed by congress before. The one that passed had protection for sexual orientation, but did not have gender identity. This is a big deal for gays. But this is a HUGE deal for the trans community.
hockeytiger saidYay thrill. A piece of legislation that is purely symbolic managed to pass a Congress controlled by a super-majority of Democrats. I'm glad we spent so much political captial on legislation that won't better anyone's life. I don't oppose it, but it isn't meaningful in any way.
Now the Democratic leadership can pretend like it actually has done something for the gay community when in fact they haven't done anything meaningful to improve the lives of the gay community. Do we honestly think it will be easier to pass meaningful legislation like marriage reform or being able to openly serve, during an election year?
I don't want to hear that they have to much on their plates. They control Congress with a super-majority. They will never have a better opportunity than now. I am tired of being placated.
The President could end all DODT investigations by executive order, bypassing Congress entirely. Yet, he hasn't done so.
To me it is clear that the Democratic leadership doesn't take gay rights seriously, and as such I will not vote for them or give them one penny until they show me that they are, in fact, serious about it.
The Democratic party is not as much for gay rights as you might think. They are all talk and no action, which is a political move
MunchingZombie saidThis bill was not passed by congress before. The one that passed had protection for sexual orientation, but did not have gender identity. This is a big deal for gays. But this is a HUGE deal for the trans community.
Ok that part about gender identity I did not know about. CNN failed to mention that one and I didnt take the time to look that part up. my bad. Stands corrected.
hockeytiger saidTo me it is clear that the Democratic leadership doesn't take gay rights seriously, and as such I will not vote for them or give them one penny until they show me that they are, in fact, serious about it.
Whoa! the tiger has roared! I am glad you take rights for gays seriously.
I think "symbolically" it will help. And if nothing else it will figuratively give the religious right a black eye - that is worth something. It is worth something because for the religious right if you are gay or transgender, you deserve what you get -- this law says NO! For someone that has been a victim of hate crime, no doubt it will mean something as it should. If it means help from the federal government is available when you live someplace that is hostile to gays.
Anyway, sure more needs to be done, but by all accounts the majority both republican and democrat think DADT should go. By some accounts it is military leadership that is in the way. I think ENDA will pass also when it is put up to a vote. ending DOMA might be a little more tricky.
I'm tired of uninformed people attacking the President. He is far from perfect, but his administration has passed several pro-gay initiatives. There are a ton of openly gay administration members, including Kevin Jennings who has been relentlessly attacked.
In addition, in the past 10 months, we have seen:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it was clarifying the definition of "family" to explicitly include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in regulatory and policy changes pertaining to housing and home ownership.
HUD also announced it would immediately begin the "first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing."
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would create a national resource center to assist LGBT elders.
Reauthorization of the Ryan White Act.
The White House has also spoken out against the anti-gay ballot initiatives in Maine and Washington.
Inclusion in the 2010 Census.
Now, contrast this to the previous administration which actively worked against us, and "won" reelection on our backs in 2004.
Yes, there's more work to be done, but the idea that only DADT and DOMA matter is ridiculous and insulting.
Christian73 saidI'm tired of uninformed people attacking the President. He is far from perfect, but his administration has passed several pro-gay initiatives. There are a ton of openly gay administration members, including Kevin Jennings who has been relentlessly attacked.
In addition, in the past 10 months, we have seen:
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that it was clarifying the definition of "family" to explicitly include lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in regulatory and policy changes pertaining to housing and home ownership.
HUD also announced it would immediately begin the "first-ever national study of discrimination against members of the LGBT community in the rental and sale of housing."
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced it would create a national resource center to assist LGBT elders.
Reauthorization of the Ryan White Act.
The White House has also spoken out against the anti-gay ballot initiatives in Maine and Washington.
Inclusion in the 2010 Census.
Now, contrast this to the previous administration which actively worked against us, and "won" reelection on our backs in 2004.
Yes, there's more work to be done, but the idea that only DADT and DOMA matter is ridiculous and insulting.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Great points !!!! we need to accept that we are far from the most major of issues facing our country. We'll do ourselves and our cause harm by not acknowledging the good that has been done and patiently work for continued improvements.
It would also be nice if people would stop flaunting their ignorance of the legislative process by insinuating or directly stating that the President has magical powers to make/change/repeal laws. He does not.
If you want DADT and DOMA repealed, write your elected officials. Write them repeatedly. The President can't just write/enact a law himself, it needs to originate in the houses of Congress and make it to his desk for signature. But by all means, if it suits you better (as it does most Americans) to forget those important points and instead just try and skewer him on gay fitness sites, feel free. But don't cry when nothing happens.
The only thing he COULD (and should, in my opinion) do is issue an executive order that puts a stay on DADT investigations, and I have written both the White House and my congress people/senators urging them to push that issue with him.
badmikeyt saidIt would also be nice if people would stop flaunting their ignorance of the legislative process by insinuating or directly stating that the President has magical powers to make/change/repeal laws. He does not.
If you want DADT and DOMA repealed, write your elected officials. Write them repeatedly. The President can't just write/enact a law himself, it needs to originate in the houses of Congress and make it to his desk for signature. But by all means, if it suits you better (as it does most Americans) to forget those important points and instead just try and skewer him on gay fitness sites, feel free. But don't cry when nothing happens.
The only thing he COULD (and should, in my opinion) do is issue an executive order that puts a stay on DADT investigations, and I have written both the White House and my congress people/senators urging them to push that issue with him.
Have you?
Thank God someone around here has a fucking brain.
badmikeyt saidIt would also be nice if people would stop flaunting their ignorance of the legislative process by insinuating or directly stating that the President has magical powers to make/change/repeal laws. He does not.
If you want DADT and DOMA repealed, write your elected officials. Write them repeatedly. The President can't just write/enact a law himself, it needs to originate in the houses of Congress and make it to his desk for signature. But by all means, if it suits you better (as it does most Americans) to forget those important points and instead just try and skewer him on gay fitness sites, feel free. But don't cry when nothing happens.
The only thing he COULD (and should, in my opinion) do is issue an executive order that puts a stay on DADT investigations, and I have written both the White House and my congress people/senators urging them to push that issue with him.
Have you?
What's the need in writing the White House and our officials when Obama already said he would do it? Enough people have spoken out. Writing your officials will not get you anywhere. I am sure most of it goes in the circular file.
you know he summed it all up. And having been a Poli. Sci major in college yeah Im pretty aware of how the bill process works and for one didn't need a saturday school house rock video to teach it to me. My fustrations with Obama and this Administration go far far FAR beyond gay issues. Great "baby" steps but when you talk about change and using political capital you should remember that you also have your bully pulpit to use for more than making great worded speeches for the history books. I would like to see this guy do a lot and succeed in doing and he would by far be gaining my respect and eventually my vote for re-election... something I have to admit he did not have this last time around. Let me be clear, I'm very much democrat... Socially Liberal, Fiscally Conservative... but not to the extend of a Blue Dog. As I see it, the President is the Head of the Democratic Party and they need to remember that he is in charge and that these puppies road in to congress on his coat-tails. These asshats make better republicans than democrats in my book. He needs to get all the democrats in to a room and bark at them like no other. He needs to remind him of a few things. He needs tell Harry to grow a set and get the public option health care passed in the senate and needs to put Nancy on a leash and back-hand her back in to her place and remind him that SHE is his bitch and not the other way around. Republicans gave jack for shit about how they went about screwing this country and had the balls to do it no matter what it took and what it cost. They didn't start compromising from the get go. They said FUCK YOU! THIS IS WHAT WE WANT! WE HAVE THE MAJORITY IN ALL PART OF GOVERNMENT SO SCREW YOU AND YOUR MINORITY RIGHTS! I say give them a taste of their own medicine. You only compromise as you have to. That is what I want to see from Obama... soft vice but have a big stick and don't be afraid to use it. I really want to see great things from him but speeches just don't put me on all fours.
Friday morning when I woke up to the sound of the news on my TV at 530AM, The news of this Hate Crimes Act passing congress with the Defense Bill ...I was stunned and excited and was in tears of joy when I finally woke up and could understand what happened! ...Maybe there is hope for us with this President after all! Dare to hope and dream!
I support the president in what ever he has done so far. He has barely been in office a few months. Some guys would suggest that the president inst doing enough for those who voted for him. I think whats worse is that the president is having a hard time with the cons, complaining about him doing too much and on top of that he has to deal with his own party to constantly be nagging about how he hasn't done enough. There is a process, this is politics, there is a right time to strike the iron and to be honest most of us here don't know anything about that or the real mood and backstage drama in Washington. Its a game, dirty at that and it needs to be played with care. The pres has to deal with troop level decision on Afghanistan, escalating violence in Iraq, Nuclear issues with Iran, power struggle with Russia, and a rising China and her growing appetite for resources. Not to mention the tarnished image of USA in Europe, fiscal crises at home, the health care battle and much more...
And they manage to squeeze a bill to support us, the gay community, and I say thank you Mr President and the house.
Some say the bill is symbolic, and I agree for the most part. But then our fight IS symbolic. The opposition is not so because we are practically a problem to them, but for what we symbolize. Sexuality, religion, god, political affiliation are, in a public arena, nothing but symbols. A lot of people are against gays not because they really hate gays but because what ever they subscribe to is against gays. In many instances it is religion, a symbolic issue. These issues are just posters and bumper stickers for those deficient of identity. Those who fined it easier to just subscribe to a whole set of beliefs just to belong somewhere to some group, instead of shaping their own character and beliefs and ideals. THAT IS WHAT WE ARE AGAINST.
Otherwise I think we all know that its just a matter of time that we get all our rights back, it is unavoidable. Tomorrow if not today.For now we need to show that there are people from grassroots all the way to the top that are here to support us, and that politically supporting us is no more an absurd notion. Break open the champagne bottle this is a win.
I am glad that he signed it and the video I believe from CNN shows he mentioned Judy Shepard who was there for the signing. I was wondering since the bill was named after Matthew and James Byrd who was dragged to his death in Texas and who the Texas Hate Crimes Bill is named after and which includes gays and lesbians which was done at the request of Mr. Byrd's family why a representative of his family was not at the signing?
To the responder who asked why James Byrd famil was not there at the signing of the Shepard/Byrd Hate Crimes Law. His family was in attendence they were standing behind President Obama. If memory serves I believe the two women was his widow and sister or they could both be his sister.
YAY! YAY! I Will take this win any day! It's a double win!
Anto saidObama needs to do a lot more than sign something that a bunch of other people worked to put through onto his desk..
Amen
Correct me if I'm wrong, since I'm not party to your political system, but isn't the duty of the executive officer... one of execution?
IE, isn't it really up to congress to propose law and Obama is really just a figurehead/chairman? Sure, the populist crowd think he's all powerful, but he's still just a member of his party.
Anto saidObama needs to do a lot more than sign something that a bunch of other people worked to put through onto his desk..
Amen
Correct me if I'm wrong, since I'm not party to your political system, but isn't the duty of the executive officer... one of execution?
IE, isn't it really up to congress to propose law and Obama is really just a figurehead/chairman? Sure, the populist crowd think he's all powerful, but he's still just a member of his party.
If the president of the US is always the head of his own party whatever that is at that time. Congress yes does make and suggest the laws however just like congress does he can as well make laws through several ways... Executive Orders or make/suggest laws that work their way through congress... i.e. bill clinton trying to get health care reform the first time around.
I am glad you take rights for gays seriously.