THIS JUST IN: "Fierce advocate" Obama admin violates judge's order on gay partner's health benefits

[Bluebear]

Donnie McClurkin was just the opening act:

=====

The Advocate: Obama admin violates judge's order, refuses to give health benefits to lesbian partner of fed employee

I guess some health benefits are more equal than others. Funny that we're all supposed to roll over and accept the President's capitulation to the Republicans and conservative Dems on health care reform, because providing people health care is just so darn important that you simply must find a way to make it happen. But when it comes to gay people getting health care, the Obama administration bends over backwards to find a technicality to, yet again, slap the community in the face.

This time the administration is saying the judge didn't have the authority to tell them to provide the lesbian benefits. You really need to read Kerry Eleveld's scoop in the Advocate on this. You can just smell that the administration did everything they could, twisted every word, to find an excuse for not providing the benefits. After all, if they give the partners of gay employees health benefits, then someone might accuse Barack Obama of being just a bit too friendly with the gays. And as we've learned over the last year, Obama doesn't do "controversial."

Funny, but that's the judge's job to decide, not some Obama appointee. You don't get to just decide that a judge doesn't have the authority to order you what to do. If you don't like it, you appeal. You don't just ignore it, a la George Bush. Even weird, the administration is now claiming that DOMA precludes them from following the judge's order.

Uh, would that be the same DOMA that candidate Obama called "abhorrent" during the campaign. The same DOMA that Obama promised to repeal. Yeah, not so much anymore. There's no plan to touch DOMA at all now. At least until Obama is re-elected, if he's re-elected. So now, yet again, we're told that because the President is refusing to follow through on his promise on DOMA, he can't do anything else for us because of DOMA.

http://gay.americablog.com/2009/12/this-just-in-advocate-obama-admin.html

[FiveGoodMen]

1. We MUST run someone else in 2012

It may not help, but the road we're on is a dead end for sure.

[izquierdista]

6. And next time

We don't pick some lightweight who talks a good line and walked into the Senate against token opposition.

[galileoreloaded]

58. This is the best GD prez money can buy... What do you WANT???

[EFerrari]

2. Wtf.

[hootinholler]

25. Yeah! WTF??

I thought it was in the news that same sex Fed employees will have benefits.

:shrug:

Suffering early onset CRS, I could be misremembering, but I'm pretty sure.

-Hoot

[northzax]

45. The law, as curretly written

Specifically says that they don't. And it's the job of the administration to appeal federal laws to the supreme court if needed.

And for the record, domestic partners should get benefits. But as of now, only 'spouses' as recognized by the tax code do. The Obama administration didn't write that law, and they can't unilaterally ignore laws they may not like.

[IndianaGreen]

51. The law says that Obama must prosecute Bush regime law breakers

Obama cannot be selective as to which laws he will enforce and which will he ignore.

[theHandpuppet]

63. Ding! Ding! Ding! WE have a winnuh!

:thumbsup:

[tbyg52]

79. >>Obama cannot be selective as to which laws he will enforce and which will he ignore.

Can't he? He's done it, son.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/LiteralMetaphor

[ruggerson]

70. They can work to repeal DOMA - and they haven't

[Betty Karlson]

78. Than shame on them! N/T

[Ocracoker16]

46. That is what I thought I heard

Apparently, I missed that he said that healthcare wasn't part of the benefits he granted. He made this big ass deal about signing an order that gave benefits to same sex partners. The fine print said that health benefits were excluded.

Now he is stalling once again. He uses the existence of DOMA as an excuse, but that is such a bunch of bs considering that he should have repealed DOMA a long time ago.

[Toasterlad]

66. That Is Correct. The Memo That Obama Signed Did Not Include Health Benefits.

It actually included very few ACTUAL benefits...it was pretty much just a hastily thrown together bouquet intended to shut the GLBT community up in the wake of the DOMA brief fiasco.

[northzax]

83. You know that DOMA is a law, right?

Like one passed by Congress and all? And that it would take a new law, one passed by Congress to overturn it? (well that or the Supreme Court) you see the Republicans in the Senatenot filibustering that? Now DADT is a regulation that could be overturned, and, I believe, will be. By the way, one of the reasons I supported Hillary in the primaries was because of her record on equal rights. For that position, among others like it, I was ridden off this board on a rail. Well this is what we voted for, why are we suprised?

[Toasterlad]

84. You Know That When a Judge Issues a Ruling, You're Required to Obey It, Right?

The legislative branch makes the law.

The executive branch enforces the law.

The judicial branch INTERPRETS the law.

This judge is essentially telling Obama that DOMA is ILLEGAL, and that he MUST provide health care benefits to same-sex fed employees. Obama is REFUSING TO COMPLY WITH THE JUDGE'S RULING. What Obama is doing is ILLEGAL.

Cheering Obama's lawlessness just because you like him and don't give a shit what he does to gays is moronic.

BTW, Hillary Clinton would have been absolutely just as willing to throw gays under the bus as Obama is. The myth that there's any real difference between these two bought-and-paid-for corporate whores was one of the funniest and most tragic jokes of 2008.

[Little Star]

3. I can't stand to hear much more. Shameful!!!

[T Wolf]

4. I keep waiting to read ANYTHING that this administration does that I agree with.

I am still waiting.

It is obvious that they put ALL their effort into pushing conservative policies at the expense of liberal actions, even if Obama campaigned on the liberal position.

They "lean on" and threaten the few liberals holding out for something good.

But they "bargain with" and sell out to a con when they raise objections.

This offensive action is just another in a growing list of betrayals.

[jgraz]

5. So far, he hasn't nuked anybody.

I count that as a plus.

[dana_b]

9. it's only been 11 months! sheesh - give them time! n/t

[jgraz]

10. I WANT MY NUCLEAR PONY!!

:D

[dana_b]

21. shhh... ix-nay on the ony-pay

I heard that was forbotten.

Waaaaaaaa!!!! is still okay though. ;)

[Bluebear]

35. ;)

[atreides1]

11. But he still has time!

[reflection]

19. I'm feeling the same way, T Wolf.

Like I made a terrible mistake. The fact that there is no McCain/Palin is comfort, but only cold comfort.

[Yuugal]

7. Sorry gays

Only DLC tuna gets to be Ass-Kist™.

Sure is crowded under this bus; maybe they could tow a trailer so we can all have room underneath.

[QC]

55. Fear not! There is room for all under the Hopemobile! n/t

[readmoreoften]

8. He keeps exceeding my worst expectations.

And my expectations were really bad.

[Toasterlad]

67. Ditto. I'm Truly Suprised At How Much Of a Flat-Out Failure He Is.

I never expected much from him, particularly on GLBT issues, but he has definitely unsucceeded beyond my wildest dreams.

[QC]

72. Yeah. I didn't expect much good from him, but never dreamed

he would be so overtly hostile.

[Starry Messenger]

12. So what is this chess move called?

I'm sorry, this is just dickish at this point.

[Bluebear]

14. HE'S ONLY SINGING A TWO-MINUTE PRAYER! You will NOT RUIN THIS FOR THE REST OF US!!!!1

And the beat goes on.

[Starry Messenger]

18. It's an annoying little truth

that "fierce advocate" really means "fuck you".

[jgraz]

27. Gee, that means Obama is a "fierce advocate" for a lot of things

Health care reform
The wars
Bank bailouts
Financial regulation
Climate change
The rule of law and the Constitution

Damn, is there anything he ISN'T a "fierce advocate" on?

[Bluebear]

31. I read the whole sig line :)

[Starry Messenger]

32. I can't wait to find out.

:sarcasm:

[dana_b]

13. this can't be the person that many of us

voted for. Is this his doppelganger??

[atreides1]

15. The Guy during the Campaign was the Doppleganger

What we have here is the genuine article, all talk no hat.
Easily manipulated because deep down inside he's still nothing more then a community organizer!

[dana_b]

24. shit... I know a community organzer who doesn't take any crap

from people around her and is a "fierce advocate" in the truest sense. I wish he was more like her!

[ima_sinnic]

16. just another in that "no we can't" list someone posted yesterday

notice how in this case, as in some torture & detainee cases, the administration has actually gone out of its way to oppose a judge's ruling. In some of these cases, all they had to do was STFU and let the "change" happen.

"Yes We Can" be treated like gullible idiots soon parted from our wallets AND even our basic human rights by snake-oil salesmen with million-dollar words.

[MsLeopard]

69. Yes we can!

But we won't - I keep thinking that he forgot to say the last part during the campaign, and I wonder now if he was thinking it every time he said those words. I guess I'm a cynic too. :hi:

[rusty fender]

73. And this Admin. is protecting the last Admin.

from prosecution. Why? Because this Admin. wants to violate the law whenever they feel it is necessary to do so. They are worse than the Bush Admin. in the fact that Obama campaigned on hope and change and had all us progressives motivated and on board.

[LooseWilly]

17. Maybe, if he racks up enough "insult points", he'll get a Republican vote in the Senate?

250 points- He can have a holiday declared without a filibuster.

5000 points- He will have a week free of prayers to Jesus for his total and abject failure.

10000000 points- He can get a single Republican to vote in his favor on something controversial, like another round of Wall St. Bailouts.

<etc.>

[Bluebear]

23. Maybe his good friend Tom Coburn?

He names Oklahoma Sen. Tom Coburn as one of those he would consult.

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. -- In his quest for the White House, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., often says he will be a candidate who will bring both parties together. Saturday, he named a few of the Republicans he would reach out to if he were elected.

"There are some very capable Republicans who I have a great deal of respect for," Obama said in an interview with the AP. "The opportunities are there to create a more effective relationship between parties."

Among the Republicans he would consult are Sens. Richard Lugar of Indiana, John Warner of Virginia and Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, he said.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=070826_1_A15_hHena08150

[Mari333]

20. Ignore the left, ignore us all

TO YOUR PERIL
at this point I am not even surprised anymore.

knr

[Duncan Grant]

22. Barack Obama: "The Great Equivocator" (nt)

[FLAprogressive]

26. it's just a song.....it's just a two-minute prayer.....

[liberal_at_heart]

28. Who is this guy?

I knew he wasn't liberal but just how far to the right does this man lean? Obama was never my first choice but when he won the primary I was a good little democrat and voted for him anyway. Now I'm wishing I had voted third party. I will be voting third party next time unless a progrssive wins the nomination.

[Neecy]

29. Disgraceful.

Our president is a bald-faced liar. No other way to describe it.

[MissDeeds]

47. Liar at worst

Shameless political opportunist at best. The hits just keep coming with this guy.

[roguevalley]

61. He was raised poor by a hard working mama. He's decided not to

remember that. Obviously.

[Bluenorthwest]

30. Barack McWarren in action again

[bigwillq]

40. ha ha

:rofl: :thumbsup:

[Bluebear]

59. me too!

[Jamastiene]

33. It's our government against us, not We The People.

This GayTM is closed for sure.

[Political Heretic]

34. Unbelievable.

[ruggerson]

36. It's worth noting that Kozinski ruled TWICE on this

very disturbing.

[AzDar]

37. Ack.

:thumbsdown:

[David Zephyr]

38. You were right, Bluebear.

He's morphing into Bush right before out eyes.

He's a fool, too. No rightwinger will ever accept him.

Check out my new sig line.

[Bluebear]

41. I hate being right.

But, there it is.

NOW my fear is that they are grooming Palin to ensure another 4 years of Obama.

[G_j]

42. how about prophesying on something happier?

like Rush getting busted, or Glenn being abducted by aliens?

[Bluebear]

44. One moment please...

Answer hazy, ask again later.

[walldude]

52. Dude... you are a sick puppy..

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl: Does that thing get the playboy channel?

[donco6]

48. Jesus, no effing kidding.

:puke:

At least Bush didn't pretend to like gays.

[flvegan]

39. Can everyone under the bus please move over a bit. We've got incoming.

[MissDeeds]

49. Good one

:hi:

[QC]

60. Fear not! There is room for all under the Hopemobile! n/t

[Betty Karlson]

77. This comment would be funny

if only the topic wasn't so serious.

How can someone who claims to be a Christian (Mr Obama, that is) treat people so badly, lie to their faces, heap injustice on their heads, and then give himself "a solid B+"?

[Vidar]

43. K&R.

[amborin]

50. portends ominous developments!

[democracy1st]

53. This guy chose Bluedogs and The DLC over progressives, what a joke!

[QC]

54. HE'S OLNY GOING TO SING ONE SONG!1!!1!111

[Major Hogwash]

56. Unbelievable.

We have to primary this sonovabitch in 2012.

[QC]

57. Fierce advocate kick! n/t

[Ildem09]

62. This Homosexual is

Going to make sure that Obama et all. have a primary challenger fuck it. I know im getting fucked under republicans I know not to expect anything good. but this is just ridiculous I want the administration to fail now just for pure schadenfreude

[Betty Karlson]

76. I understand your anger.

Quite frankly, I starting to think that Mr Obama is a "closeted" homophobe. - that is, someone who despises gay people but doesn't dare to speak his hate.

[BigBearJohn]

64. OBAMA/PALIN 2012 BIPARTISANSHIP AT ITS BEST!!

(GROAN)

[golddigger]

65. Another strategic chess move?

:sarcasm:

[Vinca]

68. Forget the Nobel . . . Obama should be nominated for an Oscar.

Best performance as a force of change.

[Raster]

74. DUzy!

[TheWebHead]

71. isn't this common in the appeals process

the administration will ignore judge's order and continue appeal to scotus or until congress acts. there's 11 circuits and likely most would have ruled the opposite way the 9th did given the history of the 9th circuit.

[dsc]

75. No that isn't normal

If they get a stay then it is normal. Simply ignoring a judges order isn't normal.

[Toasterlad]

80. I Love How All the "Obama Must Obey the Law" Assholes Are STILL Singing That Song While Obama

DEFIES a court order.

They clearly don't give a shit about the law. Their motive is - and has always been - supporting Obama's anti-gay agenda. Had Bush done something like this (and Bush often did), they'd be screaming bloody murder (and did, at the time). But when Obama does it, it's okay. After all, it's only the gays. It's not like it hurts anyone important.

[Bluebear]

81. 'Like he obeyed the law to prosecute torturers?' I always ask.

Chirp go the crickets.

[Libertas1776]

82. Hm, I guess us gays were really

the canary in the coal mine. Obama's been pretty much screwing us over from day 1. Kind of a preview for his "hope" and "change" plans for the rest of America.

[Starry Messenger]

86. That was my view last year.

I'm strait (as mitchtv puts it :)) but once the gay people are kicked out of the tent, everyone else is fair game too. This is the sad and simple truth.

[Bluebear]

87. +1 and thank you

[shadesofgray]

85. This is like a kick in the gut. Just horrifying. I support gay rights over Obama any day.

[Bluebear]

88. Another Friday night news item...so kick lol