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News & ArtsFriday, June 19, 2009
Politics / Homo Damage Control
Posted by Dan Savage on Fri, Jun 19, 2009 at 2:37 PM
All the bad press—all those shitty headlines, all those pissed off bloggers—are getting to 'em. Two top Obama aides—Deputy Chief of Staff Jim Messina and Political Director Patrick Gaspard—are holding a conference call on Monday with members of the DNC's LGBT caucus. They White House is promising "important updates on the Administration's LGBT agenda and how we move forward." Taking is great, meetings are great. But they're not action, they're not results. Says John...
Now, hopefully, those LGBT DNC members are going to actually try to hold the Obama administration accountable and get them to take some real action on the LGBT agenda. These two staffers are both very powerful. So, while they've got them on the call, the DNC members better get some deliverables from the White House on ENDA, DADT and DOMA. But, the way things go in this town, Gaspard and Messina will probably be screaming at them for the current mess—and the LGBT DNC members won't push back because they might not get invited to the White House.This does go to show—and I've heard it from many people on other issues—if you want the attention of the Obama White House, you have to play hard ball. For the LGBT community, among other things, that means shutting down the Gay ATM.
We have to keep this stuff up:
No more Mr. Nice Gay.
1
Translation: He's doing damage control from all of the damage. REAL damage!!
One one hand I want to congratulate you.
On the other hand I want to scream into your face for all the damage this has caused.
Progress is one thing. DAMAGING our President is quite another.
One one hand I want to congratulate you.
On the other hand I want to scream into your face for all the damage this has caused.
Progress is one thing. DAMAGING our President is quite another.
3
@1, The President damaged himself; please make a note of it.
And it's time all politicians learn that the voters are the pimps and the politicians are our damn whores! (That includes Obama!)
And it's time all politicians learn that the voters are the pimps and the politicians are our damn whores! (That includes Obama!)
6
I hope the changes made are permanent, because people are sure going to hate us once we sink this poor bastard's chance at reelection.
Backlash from all sides will swamp our ship faster than Dan Savage!
Backlash from all sides will swamp our ship faster than Dan Savage!
7
Yes, let's just wait our turn and stay second-class citizens so we can continue to elect leaders that will use our money to lie to us. So many of you apologists keep saying we should be prepared for a Republican leadership if this keeps going on.
At the moment, I don't see much difference from the Democrats, so why would I care if they got re-elected?
protestforhumanrights.com
At the moment, I don't see much difference from the Democrats, so why would I care if they got re-elected?
protestforhumanrights.com
8
I like how the MSNBC guy mistakenly refers to DOMA as the "Defense AGAINST Marriage Act" at about 33 seconds in.
Freudian slip. And a better name for it, indeed!
Freudian slip. And a better name for it, indeed!
9
I think this could be good... one of the things that has been bothering me is the administration's silence on any sort of plan or strategy on LGBT issues. We have gotten only "we're working on it" or "I will work with Congress" and are left to wonder what exactly he's planning on doing. If this meeting provides clarity on that, it will be a huge positive.
Even if what we discover with that clarity is that there are certain things he's not planning to act on for 1-2 years, it would still be good to know, here's what I'm going to do now, here's what I'm going to do later, and here's how I plan to do it.
That may be an overly optimistic view of this meeting, I recognize, but if that's how it plays out, I do actually think that talk would be "great", and meetings would be "great."
Even if what we discover with that clarity is that there are certain things he's not planning to act on for 1-2 years, it would still be good to know, here's what I'm going to do now, here's what I'm going to do later, and here's how I plan to do it.
That may be an overly optimistic view of this meeting, I recognize, but if that's how it plays out, I do actually think that talk would be "great", and meetings would be "great."
10
Remember, what's good for the goose is good for the gander.
Which, translated, means if you're demanding Action from them, not just Talk, you have to do the same.
Email is nice, so is a fax, so is a postcard - but what really matters are concrete VISIBLE ACTIONS. Could be as simple as physically going to the fundraiser and wearing a sash that says "NO Action, NO Cash". Could be signing up all your college friends to rotate every day in applying for Marriage Licenses in same-sex pairs at a specified courthouse where 50 couples show up each and every day for a week or more.
But just phoning or emailing won't cut it.
You have to be polite but firm - and PRESENT. Put a face to the email or phone call.
Which, translated, means if you're demanding Action from them, not just Talk, you have to do the same.
Email is nice, so is a fax, so is a postcard - but what really matters are concrete VISIBLE ACTIONS. Could be as simple as physically going to the fundraiser and wearing a sash that says "NO Action, NO Cash". Could be signing up all your college friends to rotate every day in applying for Marriage Licenses in same-sex pairs at a specified courthouse where 50 couples show up each and every day for a week or more.
But just phoning or emailing won't cut it.
You have to be polite but firm - and PRESENT. Put a face to the email or phone call.
11
BTW, I'm feeling like a broken record here, but, if Obama acted on DADT, I think that would be a huge step, definitely much more than a "bone". And, since 75% of Americans (including 64% of Republicans) support gays serving openly in the military, how exactly would that hurt Obama's chances at re-election?
12
p.s. love it, keep referring to it as the Defense Against Marriage Act ... makes people realize it's outdated.
13
Julie: you are being the ass-lick that you always have been if you choose to believe that Dan is only fighting for DADT here.
Puhleeeeze. Repealing DOMA guarantees you'll be crying your eyes out in 2012.
Puhleeeeze. Repealing DOMA guarantees you'll be crying your eyes out in 2012.
14
Did I ever suggest that Dan is only fighting for DADT? Obviously not, since it's the DOMA brief that started this whole thing. I am making a completely separate point that Obama can make some meaningful progress on LGBT issues through DADT without risking much, if any, political capital.
15
1 That sadly seems to be what they're after here.
Katrina sounds just like a right winger with that "community organizer" comment.
Katrina sounds just like a right winger with that "community organizer" comment.
16
@15 yeah, so sad. God forbid someone should be "damaged" (not reelected...GASP!) for the sake of an entire community's equal rights.
17
Obama is doing a fine job on his own of risking his chance of reelection. I do not want a president who will play it safe by making decisions that will ensure his chance of getting reelected. I voted for "change I can believe in," not another Dem who will play it safe.
19
WTF
when do you (information travels faster) think is a better time for both DADT and DOMA to be dealt with?
This is about equality.
I honestly want to know what kind of timetable is good for you?
Yes, there a shit ton of things going on in the world that needs to be dealt with. And this is one of them. There is no "right time" to do this except ASAP.
Should all of this be put on hold just so he can be reelected? Is that the only thing that matters? Politics over rights?
Besides, now is probably better than later if you think about the general populations' attention span. Presidential campaigning won't really get going for another couple of years.
when do you (information travels faster) think is a better time for both DADT and DOMA to be dealt with?
This is about equality.
I honestly want to know what kind of timetable is good for you?
Yes, there a shit ton of things going on in the world that needs to be dealt with. And this is one of them. There is no "right time" to do this except ASAP.
Should all of this be put on hold just so he can be reelected? Is that the only thing that matters? Politics over rights?
Besides, now is probably better than later if you think about the general populations' attention span. Presidential campaigning won't really get going for another couple of years.
21
Who are all the wierdos on this site who don't want our president to enact a progressive agenda? Did you all vote for McCain or something? Jesus fucking christ.
24
Results are all that have always mattered. They're not really happening yet. It's still just talk and show.
And yes, I want to sincerely applaud Will in Seattle. He's right about us taking action too, and not just from behind a keyboard.
That being said, remember civil disobedience and protests have legal consequences and not everyone who participates in them has the means to pay in fines or fees. It does matter that those of us who can provide donations to deal with this do so--if and when the time comes.
And yes, I want to sincerely applaud Will in Seattle. He's right about us taking action too, and not just from behind a keyboard.
That being said, remember civil disobedience and protests have legal consequences and not everyone who participates in them has the means to pay in fines or fees. It does matter that those of us who can provide donations to deal with this do so--if and when the time comes.
25
OMG legal consequences ... you mean you might have to actually RISK something. horrors ... (roflmao)
27
@24 Do you want to sincerely applaud Will for the dozens of comments he made about how health care is more important than DOMA, so Dan should just "get over it" because it "ain't gonna happen"?
28
@27
I thought I might try to make amends for some of my own acerbic comments and actually appreciate his most current tone. I was wrong. I thought I might be dealing with a man who could recognize sincerity and not an adolescent. Live and learn.
Your point is taken.
I thought I might try to make amends for some of my own acerbic comments and actually appreciate his most current tone. I was wrong. I thought I might be dealing with a man who could recognize sincerity and not an adolescent. Live and learn.
Your point is taken.
29
We elected Obama to be a force of change. We elected other Democrats to Congress to help him make that change happen. So far, other than the stimulus bill, not much has happened since January 20th. They keep out-reaching to the damn, has-been Republicans and not delivering what they promised. It's time we lit a candle under these people's collective asses, okay? I say we don't donate a single penny, campaign a single minute, or vote a single vote until they get some shit done.
LGBT rights, Environment protection legislation, improved public education, national/universal healthcare, social security reform, investigation/prosecution of war criminals *cough, bush, cheney, rove, cough, cough*, investigation/prosecution of wall street hucksters, public transportation, the war in Iraq/Afghanistan...etc etc etc.
The Democrats are the majority in government. There is no f*cking excuse for them dragging their asses. If they don't get a move on, then the Republicans deserve to hand them their asses during the next election.
LGBT rights, Environment protection legislation, improved public education, national/universal healthcare, social security reform, investigation/prosecution of war criminals *cough, bush, cheney, rove, cough, cough*, investigation/prosecution of wall street hucksters, public transportation, the war in Iraq/Afghanistan...etc etc etc.
The Democrats are the majority in government. There is no f*cking excuse for them dragging their asses. If they don't get a move on, then the Republicans deserve to hand them their asses during the next election.
30
@27 - Well, can't say you didn't try to keep things civil around here...
Seriously, Will, I don't see what was mockable about Mark's sentiment that, hey, you should think about donating some money for the legal defense of people who might get arrested for taking action, if you can. Why are you being so persistently dickish on this topic?
Seriously, Will, I don't see what was mockable about Mark's sentiment that, hey, you should think about donating some money for the legal defense of people who might get arrested for taking action, if you can. Why are you being so persistently dickish on this topic?
31
Goodness Will @ 25,
You're starting to become damn annoying. You've had some great suggestions on some threads, and thank you for those. But, why the heck are your making fun of the efforts people are making? You aren't making any sense. Perhaps, you should go find StillNon and Loveschild and go to happy hour.
I hope you have a good weekend.
You're starting to become damn annoying. You've had some great suggestions on some threads, and thank you for those. But, why the heck are your making fun of the efforts people are making? You aren't making any sense. Perhaps, you should go find StillNon and Loveschild and go to happy hour.
I hope you have a good weekend.
32
Do straight men say "horrors..." or just straight men from Canada?
I guess I need to go protest in BC where I will expect the worst.
I guess I need to go protest in BC where I will expect the worst.
33
Exactly! Angry confrontation is absolutely your best bet to get results. If you don't like a party, burn the house down!
34
Legal fees? What legal fees? You decide on civil disobedience you are planning to be GUILTY of trespass at that courthouse.
You are planning to go to jail, duh.
You don't need any lawyer. Or you get one for free because you are a hero.
Will is right. All this talk and no action. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.
When is someone going to march or trespass or get arrested or set up a picket line?
Damn. Show some guts.
You are planning to go to jail, duh.
You don't need any lawyer. Or you get one for free because you are a hero.
Will is right. All this talk and no action. Talk, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk.
When is someone going to march or trespass or get arrested or set up a picket line?
Damn. Show some guts.
35
@34--PC
One day you and Will in Seattle will grow up and learn that everything isn't so cut and dried.
If you can't pay for it someone does.
Oh to be young again.
One day you and Will in Seattle will grow up and learn that everything isn't so cut and dried.
If you can't pay for it someone does.
Oh to be young again.
36
@ 34
See the civil disobedience post. My plane ticket is bought and I'll be in front of the White House July 1-4.
What action are you taking?
protestforhumanrights.com
See the civil disobedience post. My plane ticket is bought and I'll be in front of the White House July 1-4.
What action are you taking?
protestforhumanrights.com
38
@32
Now Mark.... granted Will is a Douche but taking pot shots at Canada is unnecessary he speaks for himself.
Now Mark.... granted Will is a Douche but taking pot shots at Canada is unnecessary he speaks for himself.
39
So what's the argument here? Sure, people need action as well as words, and this includes (but is not limited to) civil disobedience. Also, those who are arrested for civil disobedience will need funding for legal fees, so people need to donate to a legal fund. How do these things conflict? How does it make sense to "call for action" and then laugh off calls to make such action practical through legal funding?
Real life isn't like V for Vendetta. It's not all fireworks and kung fu and cool masks and fucking Natalie Portman. "Real" action needs to be thorough, and is going to include some boring stuff like legal funds.
Real life isn't like V for Vendetta. It's not all fireworks and kung fu and cool masks and fucking Natalie Portman. "Real" action needs to be thorough, and is going to include some boring stuff like legal funds.
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