What may appear to be inaction on the surface masks a whirl of activity geared toward change. Consider that the administration has been working to get the hate crimes bill passed. Extending domestic partner benefits to federal employees is under consideration. By the administration’s count, there are 60 openly gay men and women working for the president, nine of whom have been confirmed by the senate. And a senior administration told me that an openly gay ambassador will be named shortly. And “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”? It will take a little longer to "bring the military along," the administration official said. But, he added, Obama "has been very clear with the Pentagon that he wants [the policy] ended."
tuesday is a joke / played on those not quite prepared / the same game again
Friday, June 5, 2009
a friend in the white house?
the washington post's jonathan capeheart says the gays are fed up and think it's their turn for a speech from obama. capeheart also says much of the gay community's frustration with the obama administration is undeserved:
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I think big speeches are appropriate in certain situations. I don't think a big gay speech is necessary right now b/c public opinion is already changing rapidly on gay issues. The best thing the president can do is lay the groundwork and make meaningful policy changes. And that's already beginning to happen. Extending domestic partnership benefits to everyone in the foreign service is HUGE. DADT is taking longer than folks would like, but the wheels are turning on that and that the president has made it clear that he wants the policy ended.
ReplyDeleteWith that said, obviously the president has a lot on his plate right now, and I think the biggest domestic challenge he should be facing right now is fixing the healthcare system. Absolutely everything can't be done in the first year. I still think he deserves the benefit of the doubt.
(However, with that said, I agree that the answer to the "friend in the White House" question came across as a bit tepid.)