Democratic Underground Latest Greatest Lobby Journals Search Options Help Login
Google

The Only Gay Freedom Barack Obama Handed Out Today Was on a Medal

Printer-friendly format Printer-friendly format
Printer-friendly format Email this thread to a friend
Printer-friendly format Bookmark this thread		 This topic is archived.
Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » GLBT Donate to DU
 
FreeState Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 03:57 PM
Original message
The Only Gay Freedom Barack Obama Handed Out Today Was on a Medal
http://www.queerty.com/the-only-gay-freedom-barack-obama-handed-out-today-was-on-a-medal-20090812/

It's no small honor to receive a Presidential Medal of Freedom, like the one President Barack Obama gave Harvey Milk today, along with 15 others, including Billie Jean King. The medal recognizes those who make "an especially meritorious contribution to the security or national interests of the United States, world peace, cultural or other significant public or private endeavors." But the medal was delivered by a man who does not believe gay men and women are equal enough to be afford the same marriage rights as straight Americans. The irony, then, is that the gay male recipient of today's medal is more deserving than the man who bestowed it. Argues former radio host Charles Karel Bouley: "At this point in American's history, I'm not sure Milk would even accept. I truly am not."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 03:59 PM
Response to Original message
1. So I guess there would be no complaint if a gay person *didn't* receive a medal....
I'm all for criticizing Obama based upon slow-boating gay rights stuff. But turning it into a damned-if-he-does-damned-if-he-doesn't thing doesn't seem reasonable to me.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
imdjh Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 04:11 PM
Response to Reply #1
2. Well, I'll try to be consistent.
When last I worked in the corporate world, I stood up at one of those touchy-feely meetings and I said (near quote):

"The award is very nice. The recognition beats no recognition. But, our relationship is one of employer and employee and our medium of exchange is my work for your money. I would rather be paid than praised."
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
FreeState Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 04:28 PM
Response to Reply #1
3. How does giving this award help any living GLBT American in terms of civil rights?
It does not grant one single gay american in any tangible civil rights. Yes its nice that GLBT persons are recognized - but thats all it is - it is not proof Obama is gay friendly or even listening to GLBT persons needs or concerns.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
BlooInBloo Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 04:31 PM
Response to Reply #3
4. I guess it's a good thing I didn't make any of the claims you mention, then.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
FreeState Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 04:32 PM
Response to Reply #4
5. No but its a claim thats been used over and over by Obama supporters on DU
one thats easy to dismiss as not your own rather than see the point I was trying to make.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Toasterlad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 08:36 PM
Response to Reply #1
7. Yeah, Because That's All We Gays Want; Someone to Give Us a Medal.
Edited on Wed Aug-12-09 08:46 PM by Toasterlad
I love it when privileged people who've never been denied their rights under any circumstances - and are incapable of empathy for those that have - try to understand the civil rights struggle.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
ruggerson Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 09:44 PM
Response to Reply #1
10. Since when are you "all for criticizing Obama" on gay "stuff"?
McClurkin, Warren, DADT, the DOMA brief - all things you bashed us over, when we spoke truth to power.

Just today, you bring up divisive bullshit in a Prop 8 thread.

You're not our friend nor our ally.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
QC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-13-09 02:14 AM
Response to Reply #10
16. You know, it's funny how we get all frantic when some freeper ignoramus slips into this place
and manages to put up one or two illiterate grunts when our very worst trolls have gold stars and thousands of posts.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
joeybee12 Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 05:06 PM
Response to Original message
6. Pretty awful he was in a group that included Sandra Day O'Connor...
...medicore SC judge, no written opinions that will stand the test of time, homophobe, and one of the Gang of Five who appointed the illegitimate Boy-King.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Toasterlad Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 08:41 PM
Response to Original message
8. As I Said Before, Obama Isn't Fit to Honor Harvey Milk
And as I've said REPEATEDLY, he should keep his mouth shut about GLBT people and issues, because his hypocrisy and cowardice shines through every time he does so. It's like a slap in the face: EVERY TIME. Since he's adopted Bush's policies regarding gay Americans, he should also speak of us as Bush did: never.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
libguy9560 Donating Member (52 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Thu Aug-13-09 01:36 AM
Response to Reply #8
15. Yep, it's more of the
"Change" we can believe in.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Bluenorthwest Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 09:30 PM
Response to Original message
9. A man who praises Grassley and holds GLBT allies in contempt
is not a man of good judgement.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 10:06 PM
Response to Original message
11. Wow, people are unreccing this.
Petty children who have their rights, I imagine.
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
QC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 10:11 PM
Response to Reply #11
12. We don't take kindly to blasphemy in these parts, ma'am.
Edited on Wed Aug-12-09 10:15 PM by QC
Now it's time to get back to business. Could someone please post a cute picture of Bo?
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
Starry Messenger Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 10:25 PM
Response to Reply #12
13. I'm so angry today.
Edited on Wed Aug-12-09 10:49 PM by Starry Messenger
I read an article at Pam's House Blend about right wing assholes in Maine blaming gay marriage of the failure on their crops. And people treat this like a fucking parlor game. I live in California and I'm straight and I'm pissed. Harvey Milk deserves an honor, but there needs to be some fucking movement at the Federal level for equality. Warren did not appease the teabaggers. This incremental shilly-shallying is dangerous.

edit: numerous angry typos
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
QC Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Aug-12-09 10:29 PM
Response to Reply #13
14. I keep hoping that the scales will fall from Obama's eyes and he will see
that these people are fucking fascists and stop trying to appease them.

Of course, I am not holding my breath while I wait for that to happen.

You're right--there are some really dangerous loonies out there, heavily armed, too, and people here act like Britney Spears fans defending their idol.

LEAVE BARACK ALONE!1!1!!!
Printer Friendly | Permalink |  | Top
 
DU AdBot (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May 02nd 2024, 12:56 PM
Response to Original message
Advertisements [?]
 Top

Home » Discuss » Topic Forums » GLBT Donate to DU

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.

Home  |  Discussion Forums  |  Journals |  Store  |  Donate

About DU  |  Contact Us  |  Privacy Policy

Got a message for Democratic Underground? Click here to send us a message.

© 2001 - 2011 Democratic Underground, LLC