Archive for September 1st, 2010

Obama Should Feel ‘Uncomfortable’ That Conservatives Are Co-opting Gay Rights Issues: Top Dem

Evans Liberal Politics
September 1, 2010

Obama Should Feel ‘Uncomfortable’
That Conservatives Are Co-opting Gay Rights Issues: Top Dem

Obama Should Feel ‘Uncomfortable’ That Conservatives Are Co-opting Gay Rights Issues: Top Dem, September 1, 2010, by Sam Stein, used with permission, quoted verbatim:

The notion that the gay rights community would abandon the Obama White House over its unwillingness to fully embrace their legislative priorities may seem absurd to the casual political observer. But the recent embrace of same-sex marriage by prominent conservatives, most notably former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman, has some Democratic operatives concerned.

On Monday, former McCain campaign manager Steve Schmidt argued that there was a “strong conservative case to be made in favor of gay marriage” and that more and more Republicans are dropping their opposition to the cause. Shortly thereafter, a prominent Democratic consultant got in touch with the Huffington Post to make the case that the Obama administration risks losing the gay rights community (or at least depressing their votes) with its tepid embrace of their priorities.

“I think they have been put in a tough place by these conservatives and they should be,” the consultant said. “There are a whole group of people who are to the left of them on gay rights. And they are Republicans. It should make them feel uncomfortable.”

LBGT voters are not, of course, monolithic. And on a host of other fronts, they are repulsed by the GOP’s policies. Talk about abandoning Obama and the Democrats, in some respects, has been driven more by a desire to scare the party into action than sincere intent to vote Republican.

But that doesn’t mean it’s impossible for an electoral shift to take place or that there aren’t those in the GOP who welcome siphoning off the LBGT vote. Though hardly a barometer for the Republican Party’s collective psyche, John McCain’s daughter, Meghan, made overtures along these lines on Tuesday night.

“We get the bad rap as Republicans being against gay marriage,” she told Fox News. “[Obama] isn’t doing anything for the gay community.”

Indeed, even in the Democratic tent there is some marvel, concern and even a twinge of envy at the changes taking place within the GOP.

“There has always been this libertarian segment of the Republican Party who thinks the government ought to get out of your life, and that group has, for various reasons, become more emboldened,” said Steve Emeldorf, an aide to former House Minority Leader Dick Gephardt, who is fundraising with Mehlman in support of same-sex marriage. “Maybe ten years ago they were scared of this issue, but as it becomes more acceptable the libertarians are like, yeah, this is our philosophy.”

“You had the most conservative vice president in the history of the world [Dick Cheney] with a lesbian daughter who over the last couple years has signaled he is for gay rights and marriage,” Elmendorf added. “And if you have this guy who is the icon of the right wing there… It sort of snowballs.”

See Omaha Paper to Print Same-Sex Wedding Announcements, The New York Times, August 31, 2010, by Jeremy W. Peters.

See What Ken Mehlman Can Learn About Coming Out, The Huffington Post, August 26, 2010, by Sam Stein, excerpt quoted verbatim:

Former RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman’s recent but not wholly unexpected admission that he is gay has been greeted with mixed reactions within the gay rights movement.
While rights advocates have welcomed the emergence of a prominent Republican to the cause (especially one with a Rolodex of big donor contacts), an equally common refrain is that Mehlman missed the moment when his voice was most needed. There must be, they stress, some penance for his involvement with the anti-gay marriage initiatives launched by the Republican Party he ran.
“I am wiling to give Ken the benefit of the doubt that he went through a long process which resulted, only recently, in feeling comfortable enough to share,” said Hilary Rosen, a prominent Democratic consultant who is gay. “But he perpetrated some real harm on LGBT Americans and I think he must atone for those sins. Is that a double standard for him than for someone else coming out, you bet. But his powerful position and homophobic activities (or acquiescence when others acted) in the Republican Party raises the bar pretty high for how he goes forward in his new life.”

Same-Sex Marriage Becoming Conservative Cause

See Steve Schmidt, Former McCain Campaign Chief, On Mehlman Fundraiser: Same-Sex Marriage Becoming Conservative Cause, The Huffington Post, August 31, 2010, by Sam Stein, excerpt quoted verbatim:

A major same-sex marriage fundraiser hosted by former RNC chairman Ken Mehlman and other Republicans provides one of the sharpest illustrations of how gay rights is becoming a cause among more elite, establishment members of the GOP.
In addition to Mehlman, who recently announced that he was gay, the list of attendees includes several surprises, such as Ben Ginsburg, one of the Republican Party’s top lawyers, and Henry Kravis and Paul Singer, two of the biggest donors to the GOP. According to one gay-rights activist involved in similar efforts, the fundraising pool goes even deeper.
“There is a strong conservative case to be made in favor of gay marriage,” former McCain campaign manager and fellow same-sex marriage fundraiser Steve Schmidt told the Huffington Post on Tuesday. “Marriage is an institution that strengthens and stabilizes society. It is an institution that has the capacity to bring profound joy and happiness to people and it is a matter of equality and keeping faith of one of the charters of the nation, the right to live your life.
“More and more conservatives are saying that opposition to gay marriage would not be a litmus test for membership in the GOP,” Schmidt added. “And more conservatives are making the case that no more do you want big government conservatives in the bedroom than big government liberals telling you how to live your life.”

LGBT GOP Donors Coming Out of the Woodwork

See Henry Kravis Among New Co-Hosts of Ken Mehlman After Fundraiser, TowelRoad, August 31, 2010, by Andy Towle, excerpt quoted verbatim:

A new invitation in circulation for the September 22nd American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) fundraiser hosted by Ken Mehlman, Peter Thiel, and Paul Singer reveals an expanded co-host list. I posted the original invite on August 25, the day former RNC Chair Ken Mehlman came out of the closet publicly. AFER is the organization employing Ted Olson and David Boies as lead attorneys in Perry v. Schwarzenegger, the federal challenge to Proposition 8.
New to this revised invitation (see below) are Republican financier and fundraiser (and Mehlman employer) Henry Kravis (right), Michael Lebovitz, Amy and Bruce Mehlman, Garrett Moran, Mary Kathryn and Alex Navab, Amy and Scott Nuttall, and AFER Board President Chad Griffin.
In related news, Gay City News reporter Duncan Osborne and the NYT take a look at some of the donations made by hedge fund manager Paul Singer, who is hosting the event at his NYC home. Osborne makes note of Singer’s donations of $100,000 to Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell and $25,000 to attorney general Ken Cuccinelli, both of whom have been in the news this year for pushing aggressive discriminatory measures in that state.
….SNIP….
The NYT notes, in a recent article, that Singer has also given large amounts to LGBT causes: “…very quietly, Mr. Singer has…given significant sums to personal causes that run counter to the agenda of many conservatives. With no public disclosure, Mr. Singer has given more than $4.2 million to groups supporting gay rights and same-sex marriage, like the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund, associates said. ‘Several of Paul’s family and friends are gay activists, and he has learned a lot from their work over the years,’ said Myron Kaplan, a longtime friend and lawyer for Mr. Singer. ‘He supports the work of these groups. He also believes the Republican Party is a big tent, and he respects the different perspectives within the party on this issue.’”

Christians, Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged

There’s a reason the phrase "judge not lest ye be judged" is in the Bible. We ALL need to remember that command of God’s and that judgment is God’s alone. God created homosexuality in man, and the vast majority of people who are homosexual or bisexual are BORN that way. Is it up to us to judge God’s creation? Whether you believe this happened through evolution or special, divine creation, one cannot question that the human species developed this way, with 5 to 10 percent having strong tendencies and need to be homosexual. I know a few homosexual people, and they are kind, quiet people, educated people, uneducated people, artisans, unemployed, ministers — in short, their personalities run the gamut of what is available for all of humanity. Because they are different, and the Hebrew priests felt the need to demonize them, doesn’t mean we should be anything other than completely accepting of our LGBT brothers and sisters. Shame on us Christians for thinking we are somehow better than a gay or lesbian person. Shame and may God forgive us. —

Some Hopefully Appropriate Music
For This Whole LGBT Social Scene

"Maria Maria:" Carlos Santana performs his socially relevant unique sounds live in Verona, Italy on June 30, 2008. — 4:54

“Girl Police”, by The Dudes (who else, right?) sing with praise and fear, of the “Girl Police” in this hilarious and surprisingly good sounding anthem. Part musical nod to 70’s rockers like Cheap Trick, and part post-alterna emo complain-core, it all adds up to 100% rad. — 3:25

"Love And Peace Or Else," U2 performs this wonderful song, full of portent and warning, on their Vertigo Tour in 2005, from Brazil. — 4:36 – See the music video of this song. Dedicated to my friends, Shannon and Wes.

"What It Feels Like For A Girl:" Bad Girl Madonna singing her hit. — 4:31

"Bad Reputation:" Joan Jett, another “bad girl” sings her rock and roll favorite (not that I have a bad reputation, I just like the song). — 2:42

, "If Love Can’t Find a Way," "California bluesman Eric Lindell lays it out on this sweet and unpretentious song about love." — 3:10

"Maggie May," a fantastic live rendition of Rod Stewart performing his smash hit Maggie May. I remember this so very well from the summer of 1969. — 5:29

"Precious Declaration," a band called "Snowjob 97" does a nice cover on Collective Soul’s track. Outstanding song. — 3:56

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Obama Announces End to Iraq Combat Mission in Oval Office Address

Sep 1st, 10 / 9 Comments

Evans Liberal Politics
September 1, 2010

Obama Announces End to Iraq Combat Mission
in Oval Office Address

Obama Announces End to Iraq Combat Mission in Oval Office Address, CNN, August 31, 2010, by CNN Daily Intel, excerpt quoted verbatim:

“The United States has paid a huge price to put the future of Iraq in the hands of its people,” the president said in his Oval Office speech Tuesday night, only the second time he has addressed the nation from the (newly redecorated) Oval Office. Obama formally announced the end of the U.S. combat role in the country, declaring that Operation Iraqi Freedom is “over” and it is time to ”turn the page.” About 50,000 troops will remain in Iraq, but the president said in the address that all U.S. troops will leave by the end of next year.Considering many of Obama’s previous speeches have been praised as passionate and stirring, this one was noticeably subdued, the president providing a status report in an almost professorial manner. Chatter before the speech focused on how Obama would refer to his predecessor’s role in beginning the war. While he did not specifically mention former president George W. Bush’s 2007 “surge” in troops, Obama avoided any criticism of how Bush launched the war … and he actually lauded him.

“It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset. Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security. As I have said, there were patriots who supported this war, and patriots who opposed it. And all of us are united in appreciation for our servicemen and women, and our hope for Iraq’s future.”

The president briefly mentioned the conflict in Afghanistan, noting that Al Qaeda “continues to plot against us.” He said the removal of troops in Iraq will mean additional resources for the effort in Afghanistan, though he pledged that those troops, too, will be removed from Afghanistan by the end of next year. The final act of the speech somewhat awkwardly transitioned into a discussion of the economy, as Obama claimed the country’s “most urgent task is to restore our economy” and add jobs.

Read the rest of the story, here.

An End to Combat Missions In Iraq

See Obama Declares an End to Combat Mission in Iraq, The New York Times, August 31, 2010, by Helene Cooper and Sheryl Gay Stolberg, excerpt quoted verbatim:

In a prime-time address from the Oval Office, Mr. Obama balanced praise for the troops who fought and died in Iraq with his conviction that getting into the conflict had been a mistake in the first place. But he also used the moment to emphasize that he sees his primary job as addressing the weak economy and other domestic issues — and to make clear that he intends to begin disengaging from the war in Afghanistan next summer.
“We have sent our young men and women to make enormous sacrifices in Iraq, and spent vast resources abroad at a time of tight budgets at home,” Mr. Obama said. “Through this remarkable chapter in the history of the United States and Iraq, we have met our responsibility. Now, it’s time to turn the page.”
Seeking to temper partisan feelings over the war on a day when Republicans pointed out that Mr. Obama had opposed the troop surge generally credited with helping to bring Iraq a measure of stability, the president offered some praise for his predecessor, George W. Bush. Mr. Obama acknowledged their disagreement over Iraq but said that no one could doubt Mr. Bush’s “support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security.”
Mr. Obama spoke for about 18 minutes, saying that violence would continue in Iraq and that the United States would continue to play a key role in nurturing a stable democracy there. ….

Turn the page on Mister Bush? Never

See Turn the page on Mister Bush? Never, Daily Kos, August 31, 2010, by Meteor Blades, excerpt quoted verbatim:

I’m a big believer in mercy and forgiveness. And second chances. Had people in my life failed to forgive, chosen to be merciless, rejected the idea that those who’ve gone astray can improve themselves and make amends, there’s every likelihood I’d have spent several decades in the slam or died there. Luckily, some people reached out to me, gave me a second chance, helped me rescue myself. I’ve tried to follow their lead for a lot of years.
So I understand why President Obama underscored his call to “turn the page” regarding Iraq tonight by revealing that he had phoned President Bush. “It’s well known that he and I disagreed about the war from its outset,” Obama said. “Yet no one could doubt President Bush’s support for our troops, or his love of country and commitment to our security.”
I’d like to be able to agree. Really, I would.

However, unlike President Obama, I could and did and do doubt Bush’s support for the troops, love of country and commitment to our security. And I can wrest no mercy from the bitterness and rage that I feel every time I remember what he and the pack of thugs around him accomplished for the troops, the country and our security.
I cannot and will not turn the page until George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and the others in that cabal of scorpions are brought to justice and make amends for Iraq. Which means never. No apology, much less time in the slam. I’ll go to my grave knowing Bush and the rest got away with it. In a couple of months, Bush hopes hundreds of thousands of Americans will be turning the pages of his memoir (called Decision Points– Amazon purchase page, to be released November 9, 2010, available for preorder, hardcover, $18.), a book certain to add to the plethora of lies and pathetic, murderous rationalizations with which we became so familiar during the last seven years of his presidency.

See War Is Over — for Some, The New York Times, August 31, 2010, by Maurice Decaul.

UPDATE & Flashback: See Reid: Iraq War lost, U.S. can’t win, MSNBC Politics, April 20, 2007, by Associated Press.

Obama Address: War in Iraq is Over

"Obama: The End of the Combat Mission in Iraq:" President Obama, speaking from a newly redecorated Oval Office, announces an end to combat operations in Iraq and speaks of the need to honor our servicemen and also improve the economy. Watch the video of the speech, here — 17:56