"Obama needs to end silence on the biggest civil rights move of our time"

[ruggerson]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-clemons/obama-needs-to-end-silenc_b_199241.html

"Barack Obama has appointed a hyperactive director of faith-based initiatives, Josh DuBois, and sees little problem continuing the blurring of church and state that George W. Bush and Bill Clinton initiated in their terms. I remain very uncomfortable with evangelicals and other preachers -- many of whom have narrow and bigoted views of America's 21st century civil rights challenges.

That said, I realize that faith-based initiatives are here and part of the scene. I get it.

But there needs to be equal time for some of the victims of this cozy relationship between the oval office and anti-gay religious adherents.

Same sex marriages are now a real part of the scene too -- something allowed in the enormous state of California for a short time until the day that Barack Obama himself was elected nationally and won the California vote.

Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, and Iowa are the five leading states that endorse and provide for same sex marriages. New York, Washington DC, and Hawaii recognize these marriages. And New Hampshire is likely to be the sixth state to provide for same sex marriages.

Eventually, California will be back in the same sex marriage column.

This is happening as the weeks unfold -- and President Barack Obama has said NOTHING.

...I can't quite believe that our first African-American President is sitting this one out -- but I do get the politics of it, to a point. What I don't get is his withdrawal from other key gay community issues..."

more

[babylonsister]

1. Rec'd, I agree. And the DADT, I expect Prez Obama to make this right.

If he doesn't, I'll be really disappointed.

[Thrill]

2. Thats not something he can do without Congress.

He said he will do it. So you need to get on Pelosi, Reid, and members of Congress to get it passed.

[ruggerson]

3. Apparently, there is an executive order he could sign tomorrow

that would do an end run around DADT. He doesn't need Congress.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aaron-belkin/obama-to-fire-his-first-g_b_199070.html

"A new study, about to be published by a group of experts in military law, shows that President Obama does, in fact, have stroke-of-the-pen authority to suspend gay discharges. The "don't ask, don't tell" law requires the military to fire anyone found to be gay or lesbian. But there is nothing requiring the military to make such a finding. The president can simply order the military to stop investigating service members' sexuality.

An executive order would not get rid of the "don't ask, don't tell" law, but would take the critical step of suspending its implementation, hence rendering it effectively dead. Once people see gays and lesbians serving openly, legally and without problems, it will be much easier to get rid of the law at a later time."

[babylonsister]

5. Supposedly he can do it without Congress...

with the stroke of a pen. I've read that a few times today. Here's one... I don't know if this is true, but if it is, he has to and should.

http://www.queerty.com/mainstream-media-joins-queerty-in-calling-bullshit-on-obamas-empty-gay-promises-20090507/

Obama's defenders will say an act of Congress is required to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. Technically, they are right. But with THE STROKE OF A PEN, President Obama, who is our military's commander-in-chief, could also tell the military to IMMEDIATELY STOP INVESTIGATING anyone for violating DADT policies.

[Thrill]

8. No he can't. Please show me where it says this in law?

I'm confident that an act like that can't be repealed by an executive order.

[LostinVA]

11. Yes, he can

[Thrill]

14. You have any facts to back it up?

show me in the law where this act of Congress signed by a President can be just overturned by a sitting President, without congressional action? I'll be waiting

[ruggerson]

16. He can't overturn the law

what he can do as CIC is sign an executive order stopping investigations into people's sexuality, thus NEUTERING Don't Ask Don't Tell.

That would effectively stop the discharges.

THen Congress can repeal the law down the road.

[SpartanDem]

6. People should be writing members of the Armed Services Cmte

in particular members of the Military Personnel Sub Cmte were the repeal bill is now. The bill is HR 1283 the Military Readiness Enhancement Act of 2009.

Actions so far on the bill

3/3/2009:
Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
3/31/2009:
Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.

These are these you should writing

Sub Cmte members:

Chairwoman Susan A. Davis, California

Vic Snyder, Arkansas

Loretta Sanchez, California

Madeleine Bordallo, Guam

Patrick Murphy, Pennsylvania

Hank Johnson, Georgia

Carol Shea-Porter, New Hampshire

David Loebsack, Iowa

Niki Tsongas, Massachusetts

http://armedservices.house.gov/

[LostinVA]

10. Not true -- he can sign an EO, and should

A Supermajority of Americans disagree with DADT.

Presidents have taken away the right of many with the stroke of a pen; it would be great to see rights given with that same stroke.

Get rid of DADT NOW, President Obama.

[ruggerson]

4. agreed

and that's why we have to keep pushing him. He has said as much. 80% of the country supports ending DADT - so he has nothing to worry about politically.

[Thrill]

9. He'll sign it. But it has to go through Congress.

Co Equal branch of government.

[LostinVA]

12. No, it doesn't -- reprating this doesn't make it true

[Thrill]

13. Well show me in the law where this act of Congress signed by a President

can be just overturned by a sitting President, without congressional action? I'll be waiting

[Uzybone]

7. I hope more real life stories like the Arabic translator

keep coming out. I believe the president will do the right thing, but I am of the opinion that sooner rather than later is better. I think he is underestimating the American peoples tolerance on these issues.

[Bluenorthwest]

15. Justice delayed

Is justice denied.