Hi everyone, really sorry for the lack of updates today, work has just been a bit on the crazy side. Will catch up later.
It’s been weird and wacky the last 24 hours, we’ve had a flood of ‘new’ people trying to comment on the blog. Many of them have been previously blocked here, for trying to post a whole pile of anti-PBO crap, and are now back under new names pretending to be ‘concerned’ supporters. 🙄
I’m no Einstein, but sheesh, I’m not that stupid.
It’s funny, these creatures obviously monitor the blog, and as soon as they spot any sign of division they try to pounce. They must have very full lives.
For genuine newcomers who want to join in on the chat, please check the ‘How do I comment here’ link on the right sidebar. And please understand why I have to be sure you’re not a troll before letting your comments through, I don’t want this place infested by Fire/Teabaggers.
The quickest way to show you’re not a troll is by signing in with a frequently-used Twitter account, it just makes it easier to tell if you’re here to spread nonsense or smartness 😉
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Several gazillion thank yous to those who emailed me yesterday and today, I promise I’ll reply asap
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Don’t forget, 7:15 ET tonight, the President and Michelle Obama host a concert honoring Burt Bacharach and Hal David at the White House. It’s not listed – yet – on the White House live page, but CNN have it on their live streaming schedule. Hopefully we’ll get to see it?
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Back later, chat away.
The Obama Diary 
hy guys
UNO
Darn..Dos
so cute….darn 😆
Forward!
Obama/Biden 2012
1st!
hey chips love ya!
Hey..
Thanks for everything you do Chips. I can only imagine the level of work you put into this blog. We appreciate it all.
HI
With all this talk about whether PBO will put his full support behind marriage equality I just have one little funny thing to share that my 6 year old daughter said two evenings ago. We were making plans for her to go on a play date for the first time with at one of her kindergarten classmates houses, a girl (let’s call her Josephine). Anyway my daughter asked “Is it true that a girl can marry a girl?” My husband responded that “yes it is true”. She then excitedly said “OH, YES, I”M TOTALLY MARRYING JOSEPHINE!” This just completely made us smile/laugh. =) Out of the mouths of babes. =)
Children see the world straight and true. No politics, no lies.
So true, Jackie, so true!!
#PRESSON
Which is why Maurice Sendak’s passing is so sad. He saw that and illustrated it beautifully.
lololol That was really cute loving and laughing.
ROFL!! So cute.
Too cute for words! What a sweetie pie! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
(…and this is the rightwing’s worst nightmare)
That’s so gosh darn cute! All of our dreams in the next generation.
that is so nice loving.. and whats even better is that no one told her she couldn’t marry Josephine 🙂
So cute….when I was that age, I probably would have married by best friend who was a girl. However, back then in the 1950’s my folks would have freaked out. You are two very loving parents to let your child express herself freely as children do and not freak out.
Thanks, Chips!
Last night we had the grand opening for the OFA office in Grand Rapids. It was a PACKED house There had to be nearly 100 people there!
That’s wonderful news! We need that kind of participation everywhere, but Michigan needs it a lot.
Especially in Grand Rapids which tends to be a very conservative area.
It’s struck me that the MSM has been relatively quiet about the Hollande victory and the progressive win by Syriza in Greece. I read that as dismay that our beloved Presidents’ people loving policies are triumphing in Europe. Austerity has been voted DOWN in Europe and it will LOSE here as well. Gobama 2012!
I’ve also noted that there have been more reports about the 25% support for the Afghanistan war, which the President is working to bring to a graceful close. There have been a rush of stories about how unready the Afghan police and military are to take over control of their security. They never mention that Mitt wanted that war to go on indefinitely, and that he expressed disappointment that the troops would come home. They never mention that Mitt wants to launch this country into a war with Iran on behalf of Israel, and that this new push to develop a nuclear defense system off the East Coast is probably in preparation for starting World War III. They never mention that Netanyahu is now rubbing his hands together in glee after forming his unstoppable coalition government this week – now setting his sites on a partnered war with Romney as his US partner in the White House. They think we’re stupid.
You’re so funny. When they can talk about nontroversies? Why should they even give a passing glance to the fact that austerity has destroyed the world economy or at the very least kept it from recovering, and Europe is waking up? Why that might actually validate PBO. We can’t have that!
Is that why the dow took a tumble…the nervous nellies on Wall Street afraid europe with start spending money to shore up their governments and not invest it with WS?
WE REALLY DO APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO CHIPS SO THAT WE CAN FOCUS ON THE LATEST WITH PBO…I AM WAITING FOR HIS VIDEO RELEASE TODAY AND I PRAY FOR HIS HEART TO BE HUGGED ON THIS VERY BEAUTIFUL WEDNESDAY!
FOCUS …. THIS IS THE ENEMY & they are hell bent on destroying our President & our Republic. It is truly time to stop with the distractions and focus on the reality that the other side intends to enslave the 99 % (and as close to 100 % of women and girls as they can achieve). Any person doubting that is either too young or incapacitated to read and think. They are not hiding their intent. They could just as well have it flashing on a billboard in Times Square – but, instead, they are broadcasting it, globally, 24/7 on radio and TV. They mean it. We better or the outcome of 1865 will be a return to 1850 on 7 Nov 2012.
A small sample of those contacted earlier today with this simple message:
#PRESSON
Bob, as always, you are so right. We can’t become distracted or discouraged. They are practicing psych ops on us and we’ve got too much at stake to fall for it.
Thank you Jackie.
We are going to prevail. No doubt in my mind.
#PRESSOn
As I said in my TPV essay yesterday: “Get power. Then work for change. Lather, rinse, repeat. Anything else and the Second American Civil War will continue, and most likely not to the benefit of anything that resembles a civilized human life.”
It’s really as simple as that.
It is that simple. That this concept is lost on so many from the left continues to astound me.
As you know, LL, I fully endorsed your essay, yesterday 🙂
For those who may have missed it …
#PRESSON
This is basically what the Rethugs are doing, isn’t it. They got power (in the states) and immediately and relentlessly went to work on their type of “change.”
great comment bob yes focus is what is needed. I’ve been trying to ignore it all and just keep tweeting stuff from the campaign. although i will say I spoke with someone who was working on the correct side of MN Marriage Amendment (Vote NO of course) and she said that her group was sending out 70 field organizers just in outstate MN alone. I feel we have a good chance of defeating this terrible bill. I want MN to be on the right side of history in regards to gay marriage.
With that though I have kept busy promoting all things Obama. and hope that my tweets get picked up by people hungry for some positive action to take in order to help our President win his re-election.
thanks bob – you are tireless.
thanks chips for providing a platform with which to communicate – so necessary!
#PRESSON
Bob..this must be a issue. Why is the media not asking those doing the plotting about it? Stinks to high heaven!
Thank you for you continued tweets on this most important matter.
Aren’t there enough sites out there to bash President Obama; why come here with that bullshit?
Because they want us to be veryy pissed at PBO and get fucking distracted, I will let PBO to handle
things, PBO will do what is right for the Country. Just remember and flush back in 2008 when Rev Right
messed up the All the talking heads were talking 24/7 until PBO give the beautiful speech on race.
At the time the MSM .
Jees, Chips, how many times a day do you have to shower to get through this junk? You do the Lord’s work, that’s for sure and I for one am eternally grateful.
Is BWD okay? I have to tweet her and give her some love……
good afternoon, everyone 🙂
Been down this road before. They call for Obama to make a stand and when he does they pick it apart. I feel no matter what it won’t be good enough (too long, too short, not sincere, not fast enough, too slow, etc). I wish Biden and the rest had not opened this door because the hand wringing of the left and actions of the Heather media is annoying.
Here we go again….
I love it “the Heather media”!
Yup. You will hear that the convention should be pulled from NC. You will hear the same lying reprisals we heard when DADT was masterfully repealed, with the Joint Chiefs on board and a good legislative victory. So you’re right. Can we never take a breath from the assaults from both sides?
There was some troll at TPV yesterday commenting with great concern on LL’s recent post. The person even had ‘plant’ in his username, and I don’t think he was talking about philodendrons.
There was? Deaniac must’ve banned him with lightning quickness, because I didn’t see him. What was he saying?
He had “cat” and “plant” in his name and got called out by a few commenters that he appeared to be a troll. Let me dig. For some reason when I’m reading TPV on my kindle, I can log in, the login shows up but I cannot type any comments.
Cat Plant? It must’ve been Ted Nugent! Cat Plant Fever!
Huh. What a shocker. I can find no such comments from the “catplant” person on your very excellent post. Go figure. I’m not delusional, I swear. I did read them. We have enough on our plates without manufacturing trolling crap.
it was here—chips disposed of him/her—–I wasn’t sure about his concern, wasn’t clear—-but user was catplantdog or some combination of those 3 words.
Gee, I thought it was at TPV, but I have very few functioning brain cells these days. Thanks for the correction.
Dotster3 says the person was here at TOD. I was really sure it was over at TPV, but getting old really sucks and I of course could be wrong. I often am.
Wow thanks for working so hard to keep TOD clean.
SUCK ON IT TROLLS! 👿 😈
And thanks, Chips, for keeping this space troll free!
Is anyone on this site from LA that is involved with OFA? As I stated on the last thread, my daughter recently moved there and wants to get involved with the campaign. She has gone on the OFA site to see what’s up there, but wondered if I knew anyone already involved. ( She thinks, I do PBO 24/7 and would know).
I volunteer for the Venice / Marina del Rey group. It’s a fun crowd, and getting bigger with each phone bank. Does she live anywhere near? If not, she can go to OFA’s website, enter her zipcode, and find events close to her. Also, she can go to OFA hq on Venice Blvd. and they’ll match her up with a group close to her.
YES! She was just telling me how much she loved the Venice Blvd area. I don’t know how close that is to where she lives, but I know she’s there frequently trying to get her “Eighties Babies for Obama” stuff going. Her goal is to sell 10,000 t-shirts for the campaign. Is there an address for the hg ofc?
If I’m not mistaken it’s on Venice and Motor, on the Westside.
Breaking News? PBO supports same sex Marriage on ABC.
Yeah, there is the OFA website that will give her the OFA HQ’s address and they can connect her to the leaders that meet throughout the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Every week there is a meeting or something going on like phone banking, etc.,
thanks will pass this aloong
Just stopping by to say, I don’t post much, read daily but I’m not a troll…..don’t ban me 🙂
I hope everyone is finally satisfied that POTUS said all the words many have been demanding he say.
New ad from American Bridge
Did our President read BWD’s heartfelt plea?
Well it’s on now. Somebodies gonna put a turd in the punch bowl. Tweety and Bashir are discussing all the possibilities The MSM is going beserk. Kryon screaming ‘President supports same-sex marriage’. Let the church say Amen.
What ever happened to the separation between church and state?.
BOOOOOOM!!!!!!!!!!!!
BATTEN THE HATCHES, FOLKS!!!!! AWAY WE GO —————–>
All the people who never voted for him will now never, ever vote for him. I would for once like the whiny left to just say “thank you, Mr. President”. What are the odds of that?
Wow! Another proof, that he never sacrifices values to poitical concerns.
No one knows the ramifications yet. I’m sure we’ll see soon enough. Our political “experts”—haha—–Tweet and Toad—-on Bashir had opposing opinions, Tweet thinks it will cause probs, Toad not so much. I imagine we will be hearing about this to the saturation point. Toad doesn’t think the Repubs will use this so much—hahahahahaha——they make up stuff to use—-they’ll use it in any way they can. Extreme liberal! Be afraid! President Obama is saying the right thing. I’m just worried about the timing. Post election would have been ideal. And I think these guys in the beltway, in that diverse atmosphere there, are far removed from many older voters in key states. I will be worried, I sure hope for naught, that this will not bring any new voters to Obama—-those who are extremely pleased with this were going to vote for him anyway——-but it may subtract enough voters to make a diff in some toss-up states. I am proud of President Obama for always doing the right thing, even when it’s difficult. I just hope everyone else is too, or enough of everyone else. I hope this issue will not loom large by election day—- or be detrimental.
dotster3, they would have dogged him on this until the election. I wish the whiny left had not made it an issue — that is where MSM got the idea to question PBO’s leadership, convictions, etc. Hey, Fox is calling PBO a ‘flip flopper’. I’m unsure how full support for civil unions and then support of same sex marriage is in some way a flip flop, but it’s Fox.
WOW!!!
He is honest and open and vulnerable at times when he doesn’t have to be.
Meta My family and I will still PBO watch the ABC news!!!!!!
Adelante.
My time is up on twitter, can someone tweet this information to others. I have tweeted this information as much as I could.
“Pres O’s actions ended DADT, SSex couples can have hospital visits,hired gays In his Admin& Stopped defen DOMA.Deal Whit that!” keep repeating.
Okay are people satisfied? Now will gays be able to get married because the President said he suppose it?
I can disagree with the President on this one, but he is still my President and I am ready to work my behind off to get him re-elected. And I will tell that to any other African American in or out of church.
It’s official, he did just that.
My President is the Man!
Now, he needs our support, big time!
We need to hit back at all the bigots!
We need to do a fundraising push right now to show our support!!! Wow, big news this afternoon!
He’ll always have my support and I will continue to fundraise and contribute to his campaign.
I’ve got chills.
Thank you Chips for the remarkable job you are tasked with in keeping this place free of “baggers” Tea or Fire…
And on another note:
HAHAHA…now that our President has personally endorsed SSM
My time is up on twitter, Can some one tweet this message Please. I have tweeted a lot and sometimes I think twitter is trying to censor on purpose.
“Pres O’s actions ended DADT, SSex couples can have hospital visits,hired gays In his Admin& Stopped defen DOMA. Deal Wt that!”
Done.
12:23 PM – 9 May 12 via web · Details
Sorry got some kind of script error when I tried to copy tweet but its out there.
Jackie, I have been getting that for a long time now, and I just keep clicking yes, and then it goes away, but it does slow my computer down and sometimes pushing me off. I do not know what to do. It only occurs when I come here. Help someone, please.HZ
Ummm, who cares about Rove, Tweety is silly!
Martin Beshir is having a good dialog on PBO’s talk scheduled for later 3pm est.
That is true!
I love Bashir. Chuck Toad is trying to push all the negatives. Chuckie should stick to the numbers crunching and leave his pundity behind.
holy cow I missed it, please post the interview.
Randi Rhodes just played PBO’s statement on her show. It was a powerful statement.
Thanks COS 🙂
Now that this has happened, I hope Dems can focus on the matter at hand, to unite in the electoral defeat of the forces of bigotry and hate, of oppression and ignorance aligned and coalesced in the GOP and Mitt Romney. What we must continue to do is not make this a litmus test and make the big tent smaller.
DISPELLING THE MYTH THAT BOTH SIDES ARE EQUALLY GUILTY OF PARTISAN MISBEHAVIOR
“Partisan Death Jam”
By Lucy McKeon (interviews Thomas E. Mann, co-author of “It’s Worse Than You Think”)
—————————————
You explicitly dispel the media myth that both sides are equally guilty of partisan misbehavior. What’s different about the current Republican Party?
It’s a very important piece of the argument that we’re making. I’ve already indicated to you that in ideological terms, as best as we can measure, the Republican Party is the most conservative it’s been in over a century. But I think just as importantly, it’s become a party that believes it’s essential to stick to your principles and not engage in any kind of collaboration with – negotiating or compromise with – the enemy, which is defined as the other party. That’s unusual. And then you put that together with simply no respect for facts, for evidence, for science, and add to that the willingness to simply reject the legitimacy of the other side. It’s as if we were replaying the election of 1800 and the party that eventually won wouldn’t take office because they were deemed illegitimate or vice versa. The peaceful transfer of power, the respect for the office of the presidency, the willingness to say, “We have our differences, it’s important to discuss those but in the end we’re all Americans,” and so on, that’s rejected by a whole lot of Republicans right now.
Our politics and governing system just doesn’t work very well when one of our parties has strayed – in both policy and process terms – far from the mainstream, because we have a system of separated powers, we have numerous veto points, and it really does require willingness at some point to work across the aisle. If we had a parliamentary system of government, then these parliamentary-like parties would be OK, because you would, through an election, create a majority and that majority (the government) could put its program into place and then be judged accordingly for five years later. But we don’t have that. We have a system in which a minority can frustrate the efforts of the majority, not to simply get a better negotiating position, which is the way in the past it has worked, but to literally stop the new president’s or new majority’s program dead in the water. And that together is what created our dysfunctional politics.
——————————————-
http://www.salon.com/2012/05/06/partisan_death_jam/
Tweety started off wrong now he is going off on Robney!
I think he “struggles” personally with this issue because of his Catholic upbringing.
PBO December 2010:
“As I’ve said, you know, my feelings about this are constantly evolving. I struggle with this. I have friends, I have people who work for me who are in powerful, strong, long-lasting gay or lesbian unions, and they are extraordinary people, and this is something that means a lot to them and they care deeply about.
At this point, what I’ve said is, is that my baseline is a strong civil union that provides them the protections and the legal rights that married couples have. And I think — and I think that’s the right thing to do. But I recognize that, from their perspective, it is not enough. And I think this is something that we’re going to continue to debate and I personally am going to continue to wrestle with going forward.”
PBO today, May 9:
“I have to tell you that over the course of several years as I have talked to friends and family and neighbors when I think about members of my own staff who are in incredibly committed monogamous relationships, same-sex relationships, who are raising kids together, when I think about those soldiers or airmen or marines or sailors who are out there fighting on my behalf and yet feel constrained, even now that Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is gone, because they are not able to commit themselves in a marriage, at a certain point I’ve just concluded that for me personally it is important for me to go ahead and affirm that I think same sex couples should be able to get married.”
He confirms FLOTUS is in concurrence.
This took courage in the face of the election battle ahead. Courage and leadership. I’m glad he did it on his own time. Now that he’s said the magic words, did same-sex marriage automatically become legal in the United States or do people still need to work to make it happen? 🙂
Automatically legal, presto-changeo. No one has to get up off the couch. 🙂
Here’s a link to part of the interview: http://gma.yahoo.com/blogs/abc-blogs/president-obama-affirms-his-support-for-same-sex-marriage.html
Thanks Chips for all you do to keep this a wholesome place. I have to admit I got very tired of all the junk yesterday and the day before. We so often get our knickers in a knot over a nontroversy that disappears in a few days. I know I’m playing a song I play often, but these nontroversies turn out to be what used to be called “nine-day wonders” they don’t even last that long with twitter, etc. We need to copy the president and get on with our work…..electing him and state legislators and national legislators and governors to support him. What LL said is so true, “First we have to get the power, then work for change.” Excoriating each other will not get us ahead and will not re-elect the President.
I know we sometimes get sucked in by all the noise, but let’s realize that the majority of people are not paying close attention right now, and the president knows this is the time for on the ground work and money. All who volunteer for OFA are doing the right thing. Do any of you remember four years ago, how many times the hair on fire and Republicans said Senator Obama was doomed….either because he did something or didn’t do something?
Also, remember how the primary was still going on between Senator Obama and Senator Clinton at this time? It was SO exciting, the media LOVED it! They’ve tried to reproduce that excitement this year, but it hasn’t happened and couldn’t. The Repub candidates were a sorry lot, so they spent their time forcing make believe enthusiasm for the primaries. They are now trying to force enthusiasm for Romney….look at his crowds, there is no enthusiasm for him. They want to sell, sell, sell….always, follow the money. That is not what drives the president, and that drives the media nuts!
A dear former student of mine who is a gay man wrote on Facebook this morning that he was disappointed by the N.C. vote, but not surprised. He said “hearts and minds will be changed by love, information and communication. This will happen it can’t be forced, and in five years we will look back and wonder at the upheaval.” He was a terrifically bright student,and is a terrifically centered man. I thought what he said put these last few days into a good perspective. This is part of the arc of justice bending, but like women’s right to vote, it has to work through people’s hearts and minds. There will come a tipping point when it will happen…..his wisdom is right on.
I so love coming here each day…..several times…..and would be lost without it.
So, once again, Thank you Chips for all you do, and I’m another one who found this by way of BWD’s The Only Adult in the Room…..In fact I still have her sticky from November 2010 on my favorites…..that long list of what we all loved and appreciated about the President. You know, I’d like to do that again. I think it would be a good reminder for all of us, and start positive vibes flowing again.
Thanks to all of you for being here.
Tweety is on fire!!!
yep, and he’s right. This decision may very well fire up a base that wasn’t too up on Rmoney. They may have stayed home, now this may drive them to the polls. Chuck Todd is right also, this is not as big and issue as it once was and the intensity just isn’t there in the pub party either. This one will just have to play itself out, which will happen as soon as the next hot topic happens.
President Obama can not change anything regarding Gay Marriage unless Congress does something which they won’t. It is up to those states that have passed Gay Marriage laws and are winding it’s way through the SCOTUS.
For those of us at work, what’s he saying??
about what? I’m at work, so can’t check
I only post sporadically here, but this one of the best blogs I have seen in Blogotopia.
I don’t know if BO read BWD’S letter, but I can be certain his pronouncement was not due to “pushing” from the left. They will however take credit for, as clearly an AA is not capable of original thought. AND if BWD was influential, SHE will do no preening, unlike….
Good west coast afternoon Chipsticks.
Thank you for your continuous efforts to keep TOD as you’ve designed it to be!
Today President Obama showed just how courageous he is. I am proud to call Barack Obama my President.
4 MORE FOR 44
I am with you GGail…anothr west coaster here also proud of PBO and the entire Team Obama, now lets go forward and re-elect Obama/Biden 2012.
Ok everyone, shit just got real, as I like to say. Our president is for same sex marriage. The haters are going to come out. Now is the time to have his back fully, for equal rights and for progress. I think tomorrow I’ll make my biggest donation to OFA, and I’ll see when the next phonebank is for my group. All hands on deck.
Damn right!
LL, my OFA team is having our phonebank tonight. It should be pretty interesting to hear the comments. I’m sure our Team Leader will brief us on what our statements should be in support of our President and how to handle any negative comments. As the data entry person on my team, I’ll be able to record the comments for OFA.
I think we’re having a phonebank tomorrow. I haven’t signed up, but think I will now. I too am data entry, so it should be interesting.
On Wednesday’s, we meet at the Shakey’s on Olympic & Fairfax and then on occasional Saturday’s we meet at the hdqtrs.
Hi TOD family. Another hello coming from the West Coast family. Been preparing for my dinner for Sat. evening, fighting pain, fighting allergies, and trying to keep up. However, we have heard from our POTUS who will stand for what is right from his core. I have never not believed in his judgement, his causes, and his core values. POB will constantly continue to bend the arch of rightness, compassion, and clear thinking, and non-judgementalness. I love him for taking his time and thinking things out for the mass and future of our nation in a good and fair manner.
Now, I will move on with my committed work for him, and I will always lift up Chips and my family here. We just need to keep working hard to stay focus, and Very supportive of POB, and most of all, respect our beautiful space here with Chips.
I am grateful to my TOD Family.((((((((((((((((( I love you all so much, and I would be so heatbroken, if anything would stop us from being such a wonderful family here.)))))))))))))))))))). I am in, and I will do all that I can to re-elect, POB. I know he is the man for this time. I know that for sure. Trust him you all, please.
(((((((((((( Hugs and thanksgiving to Chips))))))))))). HZ
Ok so Pres. Obama now endorses same sex marriage. Let’s hope the emoprogs whining and some in the LGBT community who’ve been pressuring him have his back because the rightwing backlash is going to be insane. I hope the LGBT community will get into the trenches organizing, donating, and registering voters. Talk is cheap. They can say the looooove Pres. Obama all they want but actions speak louder. He has stuck his neck out now it’s time for them to really have his back.
PBO certainly has. Not just this instance, but repeatedly — over and over again. But it’s never been enough for the far left wing. Never enough. I love this man. He’s the finest of human beings. We are so very fortunate to have him. We’ll see is our country is wise enough to merit him.
Please tweet that UT.. I will be happy to retweet.
No they won’t give him any credit because he didn’t do it before the NC vote like that would have changed anything.
I thought that donations from the gay community were up this year – even before this announcement? I think that, like with any causes, there are a few vocal people who were using this as a litmus test, but that the majority of people either expressed their opinion respectfully and are appreciative of what President Obama has done to push gay rights farther along in this country. I totally agree with your call for supporters to rally behind the President and show that support in increased organizing and donations – this is the time. This should not divide us.
Utaustinliberal, I must say I was just over by HuffPost (someone has to stand up for the President over there), and I just posted the same thing.
Because if (and that’s a big If) Republicans ever get the Congress, Senate and White House, the LGBT community will never see this right in their lifetime.
This is interesting: “On national poll last weekend we found most voters opposed to legal recognition for gay couples ALREADY think Obama supports gay marriage
— @ppppolls via web”
Oh, if they fucking move the goalposts again…!!!
And Guantanamo!!
Thanks Chipsticks for your hard work and flushing out the trolls who come here!! Love President Obama’s interview that he had. I hope other Presidents and Prime Ministers who have yet to evolve on this issue… get in line with this remarkable Presidents mindset and follow his example. He is a great Leader to the World! ♥ PBO!!!
I want EVERYONE who wanted this to say “thank you, Mr. President.” No qualifications, no moving the goal posts. Learn what is important to be an active citizen, and thank your President. Then get out there and help him get reelected so and stop the cesspoll that is the Republican party.
http://campaigns.dailykos.com/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=140
Done.
I’m welling up with tears right now because of all he’s been through to try and prove who he is. Because he has such tremendous strength and courage in both the best of times and the worst of times. Because of his vision and leadership even if it means a much more difficult time ahead.
I love this man.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2012/05/09/gIQAivsWDU_story.html
*BREAKING NEWS*
Mitt Romney takes credit for Obama’s courage.
LOL!
So tweeting this.
Ok, call me an Obot or a believer in 11th Dimensional chess, but I truly believe there’s method to this madness. If it had just been VPOTUS, I could’ve written it off as Uncle Joe just giving his own personal opinion. But, when Arne Duncan came out and said the same thing, I think that the Admin knew these questions would be asked, given NC’s amendment, and gave the go-ahead. And now PBO comes in, after the hive is buzzing, and in his calm, eloquent way says “Yes, of course I think all human beings should have the same rights.”
As I’ve been saying, he knows this is a winner-take-all election. Whichever side wins will control the government for the next generation. His savaging of the GOP is one example of this. Now coming out for SSM is another way to get the base fired up. Oh, it has its risks, but I think this is an election where everything has to be on the line. It’s that important, and everyone has to man the trenches.
+ 1,000,000
I agree everything is on the line, that is for sure. But no way do I think this was all planned. Carney was caught flat-footed, not that he didn’t do his best—–and deserves some huge prize for putting up with those cretins— but was obviously not ready for the barrage. And WH peeps tried to walk back Joe’s comments, saying he was just trying to repeat President Obama’s current position, he didn’t mean it to come out the way it sounded etc. etc. But it was too late by then and the media was off and running. I don’t think he meant to at all—–and he said as much the next day—–but Joe B. kinda forced the timing on this.
Maybe we can call it a “fortuitous mistake”. Such things happen in battle. But one thing I know is this: PBO will take what could be a problem and turn it into an advantage.
WHERE WERE WE FOUR YEARS AGO?
FROM: Media Matters Blog
———————————-
Are you better off now than you were four years ago?
The quadrennial question is percolating among the chattering classes as attention increasingly turns toward the general election..
.
In contrast to the hemorrhaging job market that existed in the run up to the 2008 election, employment growth has continued unabated for more than 2 years. Indeed, the Labor Department reported that in March companies posted the highest level of job openings in four years. The number of workers competing for each job opening has reached the lowest level since the recession ended.
Last week, the media failed to examine Mitt Romney’s absurd claim that the economy should be creating more than 500,000 jobs per month — never mind that such a high level of persistent jobs creation is unprecedented.
During an election likely to be centered on economic growth, these failures allow conservatives to set impossible goals while simultaneously obscuring just how far the economy has come since four years ago.
————————————
http://mediamatters.org/blog/201205080009
Well, looks like I was right. 🙂
http://yetanothertake.wordpress.com/2012/05/09/why-are-people-blaming-president-obama-for-same-sex-marriage-hurdles/
…I don’t think the president is afraid of consequences that may come if he makes clear what has been apparent to anyone paying attention. He doesn’t need anyone to explain away why he “can’t” do something because republicans will react. (Some tried to explain away why he hadn’t talked about Trayvon Martin, because at the time he didn’t do it when THEY wanted him to. Yet he eventually offered one of the most poignant and true statements on the subject). I don’t even think it’s about playing politics or being concerned about losing votes. I think he is trying to gracefully back out of an awkward situation. I think that while he was running for national office, he painted himself into a philosophical corner. Now, he’s maneuvering back into the middle of the room in a way where he won’t risk being called a flip-flopper or a man of wavering values (hence the “evolving”). Like so many issues we’ve seen in this presidency, to blindly attack him as he moves is like screaming at a man trying to diffuse a bomb, yelling out at him what cord he should cut, and telling him that the place is about to blow up and it will be all his fault (because everyone is a genius bomb expert in their own mind).
And with THAT all being said…
I predict President Obama will eventually come out in full support of same-sex Marriage. It may very well be this term, before the election. If and when that day comes, his formal announcement of his support for gay marriage, as president, on a national level, may offer the opportunity to bring aboard a lot of people who do support him- or at least, respect him- who may be holding out support of SSM form a number of reasons. And this will happen not because they blindly follow PBO, but because they see in him as a respectable and loving model for marriage and family. Obama is also a model of moderation and critical thinking. (regardless if the disinformation that pervades conservativism and the media). Could this highly-telegraphed dance be a way to gently guide more people toward the idea of marriage equality? We’ll see…
……….
This will mean much to many people, especially young people who still struggle with accepting their sexuality, let alone ideas of marriage. Still, I admit that I’m not exactly jubilant about this historic announcement right now, not because I don’t believe in LGBT rights (because I do,) but because of the way this has unfolded. Because of the continued ugly and inaccurate rhetoric about the cause of SSM bill failures being hurled at the president certain groups, particular the African American community. Don’t want to a a parade-rainer, so I’ll step away from the net for a while.
simply.must.retweet.
Well, the Emoprogs can’t possibly demand more of him on this issue..Can they?
Someone mentioned yesterday that the next request will be a same-sex wedding on the White House lawn…. 😉
Joe Solmonese, president of the Human Rights Campaign, is quick to praise President Obama’s change of heart on gay marriage:
“His presidency has shown that our nation can move beyond its shameful history of discrimination and injustice. In him, millions of young Americans have seen that their futures will not be limited by what makes them different. In supporting marriage equality, President Obama extends that message of hope to a generation of young lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans, helping them understand that they too can be who they are and flourish as part of the American community.”
Marc Stanley, chair of the National Jewish Democratic Council, joins the chorus of praise:
“President Obama has admirably continued to demonstrate the values of tikkun olam in his work to make America a better place for all Americans. I am truly proud of President Obama and know that so many others in the Jewish community share my feelings.”
Good on Joe. Thanks for sharing meta.
Ok, this is what pisses me off to no end about the NC vote. I read on here that turnout was at ~40%. So, basically, a minority of a minority of voters voted to ban SSM. Fuck me backwards! If you can’t be bothered to go out and perform the ONE function a citizen has in a democracy, which is to vote, why not just cut to the chase and have a feudal monarchy. It’s not like we’re using the vote anyway.
I know exactly how you feel.
I heard yesterday that this is the FIRST TIME EVER that the NC constitution has ever been amended. So a minority of the populace chose to EXCLUDE OTHER HUMAN BEINGS in their 1st ever amendment. How utterly repulsive is THAT! I thought that amendments were supposed to be MORE INCLUSIVE, not less!
Yes, that’s what I said last night. This is how the RW rolls. See: filibuster.
80% turnout in the recent election in France. Those socialists!
ABC News posted some long passages from President Obama’s interview on its website. Here are some key quotes:
• Malia and Sasha, they have friends whose parents are same-sex couples.
• [Michelle Obama] feels the same way that I do.
• When we think about our faith, the thing at root that we think about is, not only Christ sacrificing himself on our behalf, but it’s also the Golden Rule, you know, treat others the way you would want to be treated.
meta, I love that. What you said POTUS said. Treat people the way you want to be treated.
That’s all there is. People forget to do that; they need to be frequently reminded. It’s at the core of PBO’s beliefs.
I’ll be excited to see what my former student posts on Facebook tomorrow……So glad to see that the President made his decision based on interviews with real caring concerned people, not polls. He is not driven by polls. His courage is unbelievable.
He will weather this, and we who have his back will work all the harder for him.
The media is wrong when they say black people won’t support PBO b/c of this. Hell my step father doesn’t support gay rights but he supports PBO
They like to peddle the wrong and divisive meme that African-Americans are a monolithic group. It’s so disingenuous. They know what they’re doing. They’re playing their part in trying to divide Blacks and LGBT.
I’m black, and I still plan on supporting President Obama, no let me correct myself, I will be voting for President Obama Nov. 6th. I have discuss this with my family and they agree with me, President Obama still has our vote.
I think the churches are key here. They can’t continue to preach bigotry. And I mean all churches, black and white.
I’m so damned proud of my good,kind decent President!!!!
I’ll be so excited to see what my boss says when she comes in tomorrow. She and her spouse married just before Prop 8 was voted on. She’s a strong Obama supporter anyway, but this just may make her go over the moon.
ppp polling this weekend before any of this hit the fan showed that a majority of those opposite to same sex marriage already thought the President was in favor of it. So big effing deal.
It will be a huge money bomb for Repubs but it should be for Dem’s as well.
War on Marriage? geez. I knew FOX would love this, that they would be on a high, all kinds of new Obama is an evil liberal material.
I’m so confused. I thought that Log Cabin Republicans were gay….they think PBO’s endorsement of SSM is offensive:)
http://thinkprogress.org/lgbt/2012/05/09/481318/lcr-obama-marriage/ Fuck Knuckles.
They may see this as a threat to their standing in the Pub party. They are barely acceptable to their party, if at all, as it is. By coming out against SSM, it allows them to say they are just a little bit gay. Sorta like being a little bit pregnant.
Defensive. They say what they feel they have to say. I wouldn’t doubt a few of them will be voting for Obama come November.
desertflower, were the Cabin republicans going to vote for President Obama, NO! So who cares what they think. Really.
Worth a RT.. http://twitter.com/#!/thinkprogress/status/200312586099638272/photo/1
We have to keep our eyes on the prize, and not only fight to get this President re-elected, but fight to change the make up of Congress. Let’s not push to be pacified short-term, we must look for the long -term solutions. Let’s not let the likes of Rove and his cohorts divide us,
It’s true that some people will be cynical and move the goal posts for President Obama. But I am very heartened by many comments on Twitter like these:
Just remember folks, the same people who sold you the Iraq war, Sarah Palin, and GWB, are trying to sell you Mitt Romney.
Tell Rove, this is not 2004, things have changed and this President is not John Kerry!
You got that right.
New post everyone:
http://theobamadiary.com/2012/05/09/forward-3/
Stand With President Obama in Support of Marriage Equality http://t.co/b0s74RnG
This is a place to go and show your support for the President. Get this out. I have signed and tweeted it.
If gays and lesbians pay their taxes and abide by the law, why can’t they have the same rights as everyone else when it comes to their pursuit of happiness?
The arguments being used by folks on the right, are the same arguments that bigots used against interracial marriage We cannot allow our fellow Americans to be discriminated against. We must approach this fight the same way good people of every faith, every race and every gender approached the Civil Rights fight in the 60’s.
Yep. There are STILL people who are against interracial marriages. This one couple told me (they were white) it’s not good if they choose to have children because the children will suffer due to be teased. I said kids are gonna tease kids that are white but look funny, with red hair, are not cool, don’t have the latest fashions…..kids find anything to make fun of other kids no matter what race they are. I was teased by other black kids, does that mean my parents should not have had me? If it were not for the SCOTUS 1967 ruling, NC would still enforce making interracial marriage illegal.
I think the younger generation will make all the difference. Just went to a few blogs and folks are really energized.
They need to vote—-not the usual meager turnout.
I guess in those folks’ opinion, there is no hope for my AA daughter who’s marrying her Caucasian fiance next year in September. They definitely plan to have kids. If his family and I think it’s okay, no one else’s opinion should matter. They love each other, have been together almost six years and are definitely planning on getting married next year—with the blessing of both families.
I’ve been in a mixed marriage for 23 years. We have two well adjusted beautiful children. Good luck to your daughter and her future hubby.
Thanks, Chipsticks, for not putting up with the BullStank of the faux Obama supporters. That’s what makes TOD a sanctuary in a sea of madness.