Political expert Charlie Cook predicts the Democrats will lose a number of congressional seats this November, not just because the party in power usually loses seats, but because there is a huge change afoot and much anger.
LGBTs feel that anger, too – anger towards President Obama and Congress for failing to recognize that “equality” is not just a word but the foundation upon which America rests. Obama and members of Congress swore to uphold the Constitution but have no shame about maintaining LGBTs’ status as second-class citizens. A number of LGBTs wonder if Obama has thrown gays under the bus. The question is still pending.
Why? To start out with, Obama apparently has no close LGBT friends or advisors – something that might personally dramatize the impact of inequality. Obama’s supposed “liaison” to the LGBT community is Brian Bond, announced on May 11, 2009 as the Deputy Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. The problem for Obama is – no one knows Brian Bond, except Beltway insiders and selected A-gay “leaders” with whom he apparently holds private meetings to presumably discuss the LGBT “agenda.” It is impossible to know what is being discussed because the A-gays do not report back to the community either. Bond has not sought to engage the larger LGBT community, as Obama ordered, through regular communication with LGBT reporters and bloggers to keep the community up to speed about progress or delays on LGBT issues. And that failure – along with the roller coaster rides on Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and ENDA – may cost Democrats LGBT votes in November.
A demonstration at the White House had been planned by GetEQUAL for May 2 before Friday’s White House-backed letter from Defense Sec. Robert Gates to the House Armed Services Committee saying he is “strongly opposed” to any changes to the “don’t ask, don’t tell” legislation before the military review is completed in December.
The protesters, however, feel an urgency to repeal DADT before the November elections when Democrats are expected to lose congressional seats, thereby closing the current “window of opportunity” afforded by a Democratic President and Congress.
Former Democratic National Committee chair Howard Dean surprised the crowd, joining speakers who include Lt. Dan Choi, Capt. Tanya Domi, and Aubrey Sarvis, Vietnam veteran and executive director of Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN). (Video and photos of Dean with Sarvis thanks to John Aravois at AmericaBlogGay.)
“This is about the kind of country we are and whether we’ll stand up for those who stand up for us,” said Dean. “This is a community that’s demonstrated their courage. They’ve given their lives and now it’s time to allow them to say who they are.”
Please click inside for more on Sunday’s protest, more about the Gates letter, and read a compellation of quotes and a timeline from SLDN about the effort to repeal DADT. UPDATED WITH MORE INFO AND PHOTOS.
We have a gem in our midst – Pam Spaulding, an extraordinary, conscientious blogger from North Carolina who introduces us to social and economic justice issues in ways we might not other wise consider.
We’re really going to learn a lot more from the 2010 census about the browning of America, as well as how many of us identify racially — understanding that “race” is an artificial construct.
The white supremacists’ worst fear will be realized — we’re increasingly mixing up the gene pool; most would say that’s a good thing, but from the supremacist’s perspective the white race is being contaminated. How can you hate when you can’t tell what anyone is? Oh, so sad. Bring out the tiny violin.
When my brother and sister-in-law came down to visit the other weekend, we discussed how my little biracial nephew Mr. E (seen with me at left) will view the world when he’s old enough to understand the bizarre notion of race. Many questions ran through my mind, such as how he will identify? Nearly everyone who sees Mr. E and I together see the strong family resemblance, even down to our complexions. My brother, who is a bit darker than I am, had straighter, darker hair; he and I are not biracial, but the products of two light-skinned black parents who themselves were born of lighter-skinned blacks and black/Native American and West Indian heritage. Neither of us can pass for white, but obviously we have white relatives somewhere in there, but they are generations back in the family tree.
But it’s also interesting to think about those who deal in the politics of race when it comes to mixing black and white. For instance, our biracial President has chosen on the census to select “black.”
Despite support from President Barack Obama, Sec. of Defense Robert Gates, top Pentagon leaders and former Vice President Dick Cheney for a repeal of the military’s antigay policy “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” the Associated Press reports that a repeal “is probably years away.”
That’s not good enough, says a coalition of LGBT and straight bloggers who want readers to call HRC to pressure the Administration, Congress and the military to move faster.
Please click inside for more info, including who’s swarming, why and other ways to respond to DADT. UPDATED with new information and resource.
Editor’s note: If you are not already familiar with Pam Spaulding over at Pam’s House Blend, please check her out. Pam is one of the most highly regarded, smart and prolific LGBT bloggers in the nation and her pointed opinions – especially on issue of race – are a must-read. Click inside to read her POV.
“The Devil screams the loudest just before leaving the room.”
After last night’s devastating loss of marriage equality in Maine 52.84% – 47.16% – an almost exact mirror of the loss of constitutionally protected same sex marriage rights with Prop 8 in California – it’s time to call out the “Devil” cleverly disguised as the antigay forces of the Religious Right. Click inside to read my analysis and challenge to those who call themselves Christians.
Political expert Charlie Cook predicts the Democrats will lose a number of congressional seats this November, not just because the party in power usually loses seats, but because there is a huge change afoot and much anger. 
A demonstration at the White House had been planned by GetEQUAL for May 2 
We have a gem in our midst – 
Editor’s note: If you are not already familiar with 
There’s an old saying:
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