Lt. Col. Victor Fehrenback was just on Rachel Maddow's show. He, and Lt. Dan Choi, are two powerful examples (amongst many others) of the kind of men and women this country needs in its military. The idea that anyone even close to the caliber of these men is dismissed as not good enough or too great a risk just because they are gay is ludicrous at best.
Equality is equality. Not equality but separate. Just plain equality. Equality in service and equality in marriage.
I just hope President Obama is being crazy like a fox. If he pushes dumping DADT or DOMA, what would the reaction be? One can imagine wailing and gnashing of teeth. But if he does as he has been, keeping a "let's put this on a slightly lower heat" kind of attitude, what happens? One can see the latter happening now. People are coming from both sides of the aisle, even in the military, saying that gay men and women are valuable, do not disrupt their units, serve with distinction and should be allowed to remain in the military and be honest about who they are.
There is also more open discussion of gay marriage. The courageous states that have passed legislation allowing gay marriage are finding that the sky is still there, God hasn't struck them with lightning and the children aren't suddenly turning gay en masse. People in general are seeing that it's not going to destroy traditional marriage after all.
Is the President waiting for the public to have a change in mindset before wading in? Does he want it to be the public's idea before he gives it a gentle nudge in the right (or liberal) direction? Is he a fox on pacifist clothing? I hope so.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Thursday, June 18, 2009
It's all about us and our opposition to Obama!
The current strategy of the GOP seems to be to oppose anything and everything President Obama is trying to do. Block as much as possible, moan that they are being left out, score as many political points as they can. That's what it's all about. Doesn't matter what. Doesn't matter who else is involved, whether their own country or another. It's bad enough to pull the antics they do here, against Americans.
Republicans seem to be blind so thoroughly by their hatred that they are willing to destroy the movement developing in Iran so that they can accuse Obama of not doing enough to condemn the massively flawed election. The Republicans want to rattle the sabres so loudly they might easily cause a backlash against the Iranian opposition that would result in the movement being put down in a violent and lethal manner. Our brave lawmakers only want to be seen to be "standing up" for the cause. They want to stick out their chests and thump away wildly, proclaiming their support of a people yearning for freedom and democracy.
It doesn't matter, though, if the opposition movement ultimately fails. It doesn't matter that the posturing and bellowing actually pushes the Supreme Leader in Iran to declare Ahmadinejad the winner because of the interference of the Americans.
Actually, the Republicans would probably be wildly happy if the opposition movement fails. They could then blame President Obama for not speaking out more strongly and rattling the ol' sabre as well.
Good way to score points.
Republicans seem to be blind so thoroughly by their hatred that they are willing to destroy the movement developing in Iran so that they can accuse Obama of not doing enough to condemn the massively flawed election. The Republicans want to rattle the sabres so loudly they might easily cause a backlash against the Iranian opposition that would result in the movement being put down in a violent and lethal manner. Our brave lawmakers only want to be seen to be "standing up" for the cause. They want to stick out their chests and thump away wildly, proclaiming their support of a people yearning for freedom and democracy.
It doesn't matter, though, if the opposition movement ultimately fails. It doesn't matter that the posturing and bellowing actually pushes the Supreme Leader in Iran to declare Ahmadinejad the winner because of the interference of the Americans.
Actually, the Republicans would probably be wildly happy if the opposition movement fails. They could then blame President Obama for not speaking out more strongly and rattling the ol' sabre as well.
Good way to score points.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Terror on our Streets!
A quick thought...
Why am I even slightly surprised when the American voting public falls hook, line and sinker for the fear peddling the GOP and right wingnuts churn out on any and every topic they can.
The very recent poll that showed the American public do not want the remaining prisoners in Guantanamo transfered to US prisons is a case in point. People seem to have gobbled up the claims that the prisoners would be released on our streets and threatened the general populace. The doors are going to be opened up and these guys will be allowed to walk right out onto our streets. Right.
Why is it that so many people are so willing to immediatley believe the proven liar? Why is it that common sense goes out the door so easily? Why is it that America, once home of the brave, has become the home of the quivering, quaking, shaking faint of heart?
How did that happen?
Why am I even slightly surprised when the American voting public falls hook, line and sinker for the fear peddling the GOP and right wingnuts churn out on any and every topic they can.
The very recent poll that showed the American public do not want the remaining prisoners in Guantanamo transfered to US prisons is a case in point. People seem to have gobbled up the claims that the prisoners would be released on our streets and threatened the general populace. The doors are going to be opened up and these guys will be allowed to walk right out onto our streets. Right.
Why is it that so many people are so willing to immediatley believe the proven liar? Why is it that common sense goes out the door so easily? Why is it that America, once home of the brave, has become the home of the quivering, quaking, shaking faint of heart?
How did that happen?
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