History will judge Barack Obama over the long haul. But we've learned something in the short term that is simple, obvious, and has less to do with him than with the Founding Fathers. This is a country that often has transformational ambitions but is saddled with an incremental system, a nation built on revolution, then engineered so the revolutionary can rarely take hold.
Checks and balances: that's how we learn about it in social-studies class, and in theory it is meant to guard against a despotic executive, a wild-eyed legislature, an overweening judiciary. And it's also meant to safeguard the rights of the individual; as James Madison, president and father of the Constitution, once said, "I believe there are more instances of the abridgement of freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments by those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations." But what ou
Search results for assessing, barack, obamas, presidency
Assessing the Barack Obama Presidency
Posted by
DividedByLaw 930 days ago
(http://www.spursreport.com)
When we hear this tried crap about Obama being too busy for gay rights, and how he's got bigger things to deal with, it helps, but remains unfortunate, that we have stories like Genesio "Junior" Oliveira and Joe Smith (a fake name) — two men forced to leave the United States because this nation endorses discrimination.
Wasn't assistant attorney general Tom Perez — Obama's "civil rights czar" — just saying how he was going to stick up for queers? Yes, he was: "We must fight for fairness and basic equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters who so frequently are being left in the shadows [and to] ensure that there's a level playing field in which our LGBT brothers and sisters are judged by the content of their character."
So how come it's Perez's own Justice Department that just let expire an asylum claim from Oliveira, who was raped in his native Brazil and fled
Wasn't assistant attorney general Tom Perez — Obama's "civil rights czar" — just saying how he was going to stick up for queers? Yes, he was: "We must fight for fairness and basic equality for our LGBT brothers and sisters who so frequently are being left in the shadows [and to] ensure that there's a level playing field in which our LGBT brothers and sisters are judged by the content of their character."
So how come it's Perez's own Justice Department that just let expire an asylum claim from Oliveira, who was raped in his native Brazil and fled
Moves from Obama Could Rattle Key Constituencies (The Rose Garden)
Posted by
UnitedByLove 941 days ago
(http://www.rollcall.com)
President Barack Obama is playing a perilous political game with some of his core constituencies, pursuing policies that threaten to diminish the enthusiasm of groups that helped put him into office.
In his first nine months, Obama has followed an agenda that raised concerns among unions, Jews, gays and Latinos — groups that backed him overwhelmingly and without which he cannot be re-elected. The complaints for now are mostly muted, and any damage done can be reversed. But all have high expectations for the president, and a few — particularly labor leaders and gays — view his presidency as the first, and perhaps the last chance for some time, to achieve long-coveted goals....
In his first nine months, Obama has followed an agenda that raised concerns among unions, Jews, gays and Latinos — groups that backed him overwhelmingly and without which he cannot be re-elected. The complaints for now are mostly muted, and any damage done can be reversed. But all have high expectations for the president, and a few — particularly labor leaders and gays — view his presidency as the first, and perhaps the last chance for some time, to achieve long-coveted goals....
Obama Speech to the Human Rights Campaign
Posted by
DividedByLaw 956 days ago
(http://gaytheists.org)
President Obama gave a speech to the HRC last night, and, as usual, it was wonderfully crafted and moving.
However, that’s where the positive things I can say stop.
President Obama has promised everything he can to the LGBT community: a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, ending Bush’s horrid HIV travel ban [Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i)], creating equality for gay couples, ending employment discrimination, etc.
He hasn’t done anything on any of those issues. Nothing at all. In fact, this paragraph is pretty much just filler, because there’s absolutely nothing to talk about with Obama’s track record (or lack thereof) of sticking to his word on matters that affect the gay community. He’s done nothing but give pretty speeches.
To top it all off, Joe Solmonese, president of the HRC, is all but fellating the Pre
However, that’s where the positive things I can say stop.
President Obama has promised everything he can to the LGBT community: a repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, ending Bush’s horrid HIV travel ban [Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(a)(1)(A)(i)], creating equality for gay couples, ending employment discrimination, etc.
He hasn’t done anything on any of those issues. Nothing at all. In fact, this paragraph is pretty much just filler, because there’s absolutely nothing to talk about with Obama’s track record (or lack thereof) of sticking to his word on matters that affect the gay community. He’s done nothing but give pretty speeches.
To top it all off, Joe Solmonese, president of the HRC, is all but fellating the Pre
First the Gays Now the Immigrants Think Obama is Breaking Promises
Posted by
BinatUK 996 days ago
(http://www.queerty.com)
Remember when President Obama promised to be our fierce advocate, then got to the White House and sat on his hands, and then invited us over for tea to make nice? Looks like LGBTs aren't the only "special interest" (hah!) group outraged at the way he operates.
Some of us (bi-national couples) are waiting for comprehensive immigration reform that also includes same sex bi-national couples, my name is InExile for a reason. Some of us are sitting here waiting for immigration reform ...
Some of us (bi-national couples) are waiting for comprehensive immigration reform that also includes same sex bi-national couples, my name is InExile for a reason. Some of us are sitting here waiting for immigration reform ...
No one said it was going to be easy, but six months into President Obama's term his approval rating has dropped below 60 percent, with more people disapproving his handling of the economy and deficit than not. From his recent pressers and speeches, it appears that President Obama is going to spend the bulk of his remaining political capital on health care reform, a signature issue during his campaign.
With President Obama going "all in" with health care, what does it mean for the other issues, such as comprehensive immigration reform and gay rights?
Well, it's apparent that...
With President Obama going "all in" with health care, what does it mean for the other issues, such as comprehensive immigration reform and gay rights?
Well, it's apparent that...
Obamas moral test on the most pressing civil rights issue of our age
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1065 days ago
(http://www.pamshouseblend.com)
I want to welcome Tanya Domi, a former Captain in the U.S. Army, to the Blend. She served for 15 years, enlisting as a Private and rising to the rank of Captain before leaving the service honorably. She wanted to contribute a guest post on the moral test the President faces on LGBT rights.
I had hopes that we too, the LGBT community would be part of Obama's dream to realize a better country for all of America's citizens. Isn't that what he said during the campaign?
I have been around the block a few times and have always known it would take a gargantuan political effort to overturn DADT, DOMA, pass ENDA-even to get a hate crimes bill passed in the Senate, not to include passing the Uniting American Families Act or ...
I had hopes that we too, the LGBT community would be part of Obama's dream to realize a better country for all of America's citizens. Isn't that what he said during the campaign?
I have been around the block a few times and have always known it would take a gargantuan political effort to overturn DADT, DOMA, pass ENDA-even to get a hate crimes bill passed in the Senate, not to include passing the Uniting American Families Act or ...
On Agenda Gays Ask But Obamas Not Telling (TIME)
Posted by
igualdad 1071 days ago
(http://www.time.com)
On January 9, the President-elect's spokesman Robert Gibbs gave a rare one-word answer. Asked if Barack Obama would "get rid" of the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy, which prohibits gays from serving openly, Gibbs replied firmly, "Yes."
Ever since, the relationship between the President and his gay and lesbian supporters has only gotten more complicated. Soldiers continue to be discharged from the military for being openly gay, and activists have voiced increasing concern over the administration's lack of action on other key issues. "The particular and generalized concern is, What's the plan?" explained Robert Raben, a Democratic lobbyist for several gay and lesbian groups.
Ever since, the relationship between the President and his gay and lesbian supporters has only gotten more complicated. Soldiers continue to be discharged from the military for being openly gay, and activists have voiced increasing concern over the administration's lack of action on other key issues. "The particular and generalized concern is, What's the plan?" explained Robert Raben, a Democratic lobbyist for several gay and lesbian groups.
The Gay Guide to Obamas remarks today (The Huffington Post)
Posted by
MikeLA 1071 days ago
(http://www.huffingtonpost.com)
Late yesterday, in the White House's daily guidance email to the press corps, one of the items caught people off guard:
In the evening, the President will deliver brief remarks and sign a Presidential Memorandum regarding federal benefits and non-discrimination in the Oval Office. This event is pooled press.
The networks scrambled to make sense of it and the print media posted conflicting reports of what it meant. What's the difference between an Executive Order and a Presidential Memorandum? Will the extension of benefits include health care and retirement? Will the transgender community receive employment protections in the Federal Workforce? Does Obama plan to announce his plan to honor his promises to the LGBT community?
These are all great questions. Some of them have already been answered through the night...
In the evening, the President will deliver brief remarks and sign a Presidential Memorandum regarding federal benefits and non-discrimination in the Oval Office. This event is pooled press.
The networks scrambled to make sense of it and the print media posted conflicting reports of what it meant. What's the difference between an Executive Order and a Presidential Memorandum? Will the extension of benefits include health care and retirement? Will the transgender community receive employment protections in the Federal Workforce? Does Obama plan to announce his plan to honor his promises to the LGBT community?
These are all great questions. Some of them have already been answered through the night...
Is Obamas Same Sex Partners Policy Enough
Posted by
ATLdave 1071 days ago
(http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com)
Can someone explain to me how those in the armed forces - working for Uncle Sam - are supposed to take advantage of these "benefits" under Don't Ask Don't Tell?
How Dick Cheney Is a Better Marriage Equality Advocate Than Barack Obama
Posted by
UnitedByLove 1087 days ago
(http://www.queerty.com)
Therefore for same sex bi-national couples the passing of Uniting American Families Act or repeal of DOMA would bring us immigration equality for our foreign born partners.
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
So, what, former Vice President Dick Cheney is for gay marriage now? Actuall yes, but that's not news. Speaking at the National Press Club today, Cheney responded to a question about gay marriage, and said he wants same-sex unions to be decided at a state-by-state level, just as things are happening now, and not with the federal government deciding who gets to wed.
It should be assumed that Cheney's position stems at least in part from having a gay daughter, Mary.
But just because Cheney just made so explicit his stance on gay marriage doesn't mean we're actually hearing anything new. Cheney split from his boss George W. Bush when the then-president supported a constitutional amendme
President Obamas Failing Grade on Gay Rights (Towleroad)
Posted by
ExileComingHome 1104 days ago
(http://www.towleroad.com)
President Obama's Failing Grade on Gay RightsTowleroad, NYFirst off,I want names of republicans who fully 100% supports civil rights for gays THAT INCLUDES MARRIAGE EQUALITY.I WANT NAMES BITCHES.By the way One or two names dont count. Secondly lets say Sarah Palin is running for the 2012 election are you ...
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Promoting public awareness of the need for fairness in immigration policy particularly as it relates to the rights of same-sex bi-national couples in the United States who seek equal immigration rights; Providing information regarding political issues relating to gay immigration equality issues, rights and policy.