Barack Obama Must Beware the Rise of the Angry White Man

On that heady evening last August when Barack Obama claimed the Democratic presidential nomination before an adoring throng in Denver, it seemed possible he could change the very nature of American politics. Americans, Obama said, had “lost our sense of common purpose”. He vowed to restore “the promise of a democracy where we can find the strength and grace to bridge divides and unite in common effort”. It seemed entirely plausible, as Andrew Sullivan had argued in an influential December 2007 Atlantic magazine essay: “If you are an American who yearns to finally get beyond the symbolic battles of the boomer generation and face today’s actual problems, Obama may be your man,” Sullivan wrote. Obama, he argued, could usher in a new era of post-baby boomer politics, one that would transcend the culture wars that had dogged America since Vietnam and the rise of Richard Nixon.

Read more at: Guardian!

Bill to End ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ Introduced

March 2 marked another historic date in the ongoing struggle for lgbt equality. Rep. Ellen Tauscher (D-CA) introduced legislation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” to ensure that all qualified Americans can serve openly in the military regardless of sexual orientation.

“This law has failed our country and our military for 15 years,” Rep. Tauscher (pictured) said in her announcement. “It harms military readiness and discriminates against patriotic young men and women who want to serve their country. It’s time for Congress to right this wrong.”

The Military Readiness Enhancement Act will replace the ban with a nondiscrimination policy that will make our military not just more fair, but also more effective, backers say.

Since the advent of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” 15 years ago, over 13,000 service members have been discharged. Many valuable Arabic linguists as well as other gay and lesbian service members holding “mission critical” jobs have been discharged as a result of the policy, which most Americans view as a failure. It’s estimated that every year 3,000 men and women who want to enlist or re-enlist decide not to because of this law.

President Obama has stated his willingness to repeal the current policy. But will he make the same mistake as President Bill Clinton?

Read the rest at Steve Charing OUTspoken!

Don’t Ask Don’t Tell – Don’t Know?

Former President Bill Clinton left behind a swarming beehive when he was confronted with the issue of gays in the military early in his first term.

Today however, Representative Ellen O. Tauscher (D-Calif.) will introduce legislation to overturn the ban against homosexuals serving openly in the military.

The “don’t ask, don’t tell” regulation allows gays and lesbians to serve in the military, as long as they aren’t open about their sexuality.

Many say overturning the rule may be harmful to President Obama as he may loose some popularity with those who oppose overturning the policy. Some have said that t is not the sort of fight a president wants to encounter, especially within their first 100 days in office.

My view however is this is not a decision President Obama is making…but rather congress. I also feel that as we live in what I like to refer to as the “United Stated of Amnesia”, which will play an important part in this issue. I feel strongly it is in the President’s favor to have the issue tackled early on, so if it is repealed, and gays and lesbians are able to openly serve in the military, then in four years from now, long after everyone sees how it is no big deal, then it will be forgotten.

Sometimes its best to just get things over with. What’s your opinion?

GOP Throwing Around Accusation of Socialism

From The Washington Monthly:

THE RED SCARE…. The notion of conservative Republicans throwing around accusations of “socialism” as a shorthand for “government programs the right doesn’t like” isn’t exactly new. Conservatives said the same thing about the New Deal (“Comrade Roosevelt” was a familiar retort). And Medicare. And every labor-friendly measure of the 20th century.

Read the rest by clicking here.

Clinton Meets with Affinity Groups

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and the President of Gays & Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies met with each other on Friday, along with other heads of affinity groups from the State Department, during which time Clinton again voiced her pledge to review the inequities in how the State Department treats its gay and straight employees.

Michelle Schohn, president of Gays & Lesbians in Foreign Affairs Agencies, raised the issue of how the department treats its gay employees during the brief meeting, and Clinton again promised to review current policies.

Schohn stated:

“It was an overwhelmingly positive meeting. There wasn’t a lot of time to talk with her because she was meeting with all the affinity groups, so we each got a tiny chunk of time to be able to say something to her.”

Schohn also stated that Clinton appeard to be

“Generally interested in what we had to say. ” however, “No timetables or other details were discussed.”

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