Senators to Obama: Time to Evolve

[William769]

http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/06/23/Senators_to_Obama_Time_to_Evolve/

Sen. Al Franken (D-Minn.):
“Every American deserves equal treatment under the law, and there’s no question that same-sex couples deserve full marriage recognition. President Obama has taken important steps to help the LGBT community, and I urge him to join me and millions of other Americans in supporting equal marriage rights for same-sex couples.”

Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.):
“I support marriage equality—this is an issue of fundamental fairness. I hope that President Obama will endorse that view and voice his support for equality for all.”

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.):
"This isn't about politics or elections—it's an equal rights issue. I hope the President and all Americans join in supporting marriage equality."

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.):
“I am proud that Vermont was a national leader in legalizing gay marriage. I believe the example that Vermont set has helped change people’s attitudes all across America. I also hope that it will help shape the thinking of all our elected leaders, including the president.”

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif):
“I believe that support of the President would be very welcomed. I hope he endorses my bill to repeal DOMA.”

Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.); statement issued from Deputy Chief of Staff Jennifer I. Hoelzer:
"The Senator believes that no one has any business telling consenting adults who they can and can’t marry as he has been saying publicly since 1996. Since then, he has been gratified to see politicians on both sides of the aisle recognize that simple truth. It is Senator Wyden’s hope that all of our political leaders will understand the limits of their authority and carry out their obligation to extend equal protection and the full faith and credit of the law to every American."

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.); from May 17 interview with The Advocate:
"here’s no reason why he can’t lean into marriage equality in a public speech or through some action he could do through the White House. I’d be thrilled if he decided to do that. He did take the step of not DOMA through his Department of Justice, which is a fantastic step because it was one that he was unwilling to do in “don’t ask, don’t tell.” So it shows a shift in his willingness to use the power of the White House—the power of the administration—to change public perception and to change policy. So I think we could get a very strong public statement out of him."

[midnight]

1. Equality should be reason enough for everyone to take a step forward...

Do it...

[brooklynite]

2. If marriage equality passes the NY Senate today, I'd look for an "evolution" tonight...

[iwishiwas]

3. reasoning is not a requirement for politicians-only ideology for many.

[nichomachus]

4. And the "leader of the party" is MIA

[dennis4868]

6. why do you say MIA?

Obama did direct the DOJ to not defend DOMA in court and has pushed through many other bills that support the gay community...on this oen issue he is still not there personally....why is it that people here never remember the goods things Obama has done? Really weird.

[nichomachus]

9. Because

they are still defending DOMA. They only stopped in certain types of cases under certain circumstances.

And because many of the crumbs he's thrown to the gay community affect only a minuscule number of people and are mostly administrative changes to federal rules.

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

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[RufusTFirefly]

13. Wow. Impressive. Every little victory is in there. Now try this. It's simpler

Preserve, protect, and defend the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

[dennis4868]

14. ummm the Supreme court...

(when the court was much more liberal) has said that sexual orientation is not a protected class to have strict scrutiny or even intermediate scrutiny applied to any govt action...

[William769]

15. Which more liberal court said that & do you agree with it?

[dennis4868]

16. I disagree with it very much...

it was a decision from 20-30 years I THINK and back then the court was certainly more liberal than it is now....I know this because I just took the bar exam and we had to know which classifications get the most equal protection (african americans) and which groups get the least equal protection (sexual orientation, age, etc...).

[dbackjon]

17. Wow! The list of crumbs

Until Obama demands EQUALITY for all Americans, immediately, this is all SHIT.


and if you REALLY cared about equality for all Americans, you would not be defending Obama on this.


Equality delayed is Equality denied.


Either you are for immediate, unequivical equality, or you are part of the problem.

[dennis4868]

12. It's funny with liberals...

they are only satisfied when they get EVERYTHING they want at the EAXCT moment when they want it...my previous post lays out all that Obama has done for the gay community and yet people act like he's done NOTHING....CRAZY!

[RufusTFirefly]

10. Hold your horses! He's still lacing up his comfortable shoes! n/t

[William769]

5. Uh oh. Somebody is not happy with this.

I wonder who it could be?

[nichomachus]

7. +1

[RufusTFirefly]

8. Maybe it's Alan Keyes. K and R

Less progressive than Dick Cheney. That's quite an accomplishment.

[DeadEyeDyck]

18. Methinks the dinosaur evolved quicker