Understanding LGBT disappointment with Obama

[MNBrewer]

<http://gay.americablog.com/2011/07/lgbt-disappointment-with-obama-and.html>

"I'm sure it seems inexplicable if you simply look at a list of accomplishments that the Obama administration provides you. But it's really not that inexplicable when you know the facts about what actually happened. If someone from the administration simply hands you Andy Tobias' seriously-fluffed list of pro-LGBT accomplishments, it will look like a big deal."

I didn't know the Obama administration had a fluffer. Will wonders never cease?

[damntexdem]

1. Why would that be 'inexplicable'? Nothing is clearer than disappointment with Obama.

The only group that should be absent such disappointment should be the superrich.

[MNBrewer]

2. the subset of DUers who keep flogging us with "teh List"

are in need of explication.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. Tobias is paid to pad the resume and gloss over the McClurkins.

That is his job. No one who is not paid shares his enthusiasm at all.

[monmouth]

4. Seniors are a wee bit disappointed also...n/t

[SteveM]

5. No hijacking intended by the LGBT community and the NRA have something....

in common: They are the two most powerful "interest" groups in the U.S. In different ways and with different strategies, they have shown that they can hammer the opposition until they get success. That is because there is COMMUNITY behind each; communities willing and able to act on principle. From the essay:

"Rather, my point is that far too many of these accomplishments only happened because of the community's ire."

[MNBrewer]

6. I don't think you have any clue what you're talking about re: GLBT community's power

[SteveM]

7. That is your opinion, one which is refuted regularly...

I hear this from many in the community: We don't know when to stop. And that's a good thing. Please note that power is not merely the passing of favorable legislation. If it were, then you might have an argument, and the GLBT community would still be in the bars of Advise & Consent. This should be obvious to you.

[MNBrewer]

8. you think there is an equivalence of power between the GLBT and NRA constiuencies?

You, sir, are deluded. if that were true, we would have a large segment of the congress standing up for our rights. Yet, we do not.

[SteveM]

9. Yes. And you miss my point: power does not come from legislation alone...

You may recall that the two communities have different goals and strategies, but both realize they have strong communities, and know how to harness the power which comes from this.

My goodness, if we all waited for the congress to become a "large segment" in any cause, nothing much would get done. It may be a tired slogan, but when the people take the lead, the leaders will follow. The Civil Rights Movement, even as late as the 50s did not enjoy much in the way of congressional (or certainly presidential) support; those came later. The NRA has had considerable power in congress long before "gun-controllers" went on their spree; that's the old-school way to win. But the country has a history of folks fighting for civil rights who started out with little in the way of established political support, but gained it later. Thank god for that.

The council chambers, legislatures and the Congress aren't the only game in town. You may note that the move to legalize marijuana has NEVER enjoyed much congressional support (and STILL doesn't), but progress is still made, through referenda, through the courts, through informal "law priority law enforcement" side agreements, and through an increasingly aggressive presence on MSM. I hope you will at least consider my point and the history to back it up. Thanks.

[SteveM]

10. Check out Mineral Man's GBH video at Bachman's "clinic." nt

[LeftyMom]

18. It's a function of geography and political decisions made centuries ago.

Since in general (I've read that this is changing to some degree, and it was never as pronounced with lesbians as with gay men to begin with) out lgbt people have tended to congregate in cities in general and socially liberal cities in particular. There are good reasons for this- those places offered strength in numbers, legal protections, etc. However political power of LGBT folks is to some degree limited by the political marginalization of those same areas due to their relative liberalism and by their political marginalization under the electoral college. The only way to gain influence in non-swing state highly populated areas is with money, and those who can be bought don't stay bought.

By comparison the gun lobby is strong in rural areas, which carry disproportionate weight in the political process due to the electoral college. Cows and corn don't vote, but the armed and stupid who tend them do, and their votes are disproportionately weighted.

That's why half of congress pisses their pants when the NRA (or the religious right, for the same reasons) comes calling and equality is an uphill battle. It's structural.

[Creideiki]

17. You're forgetting Wall Street, Conservative Pseudo-Christians, and people who want to sell out

the elderly and poor.

They get everything they want. The rest of us are still asking for a seat at the table.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[MNBrewer]

12. That is great! I'm going to post this everything "teh List" gets posted

[Vanje]

13. The list!

conveyed by famous NRA spokesman!
WOW!

[QC]

14. LOL!

:rofl:

[Prism]

15. Oh em gee.

That is too awesome for words.

[Behind the Aegis]

16. I think I can make out the first line.

It reads: Homosexuals, know thy place! And something about "hope" and "change." Not sure, my ancient Hollywood Hebrew is rusty.

:evilgrin: