People smarter than I (and, I'm sure, a fair amount who are not) will have buckets to say about this; I'll keep my thoughts brief.
It's no secret that we here at Infection By Light support equality for all, and we salute the president for his support of same-sex marriage. It may well sink him in November, I have no idea, but, for the first time in nearly four years, I was proud of my 2008 vote for Barack Hussein Obama, truly proud - I could literally feel it in my body.
And, then, I was picturing in my mind some kid somewhere (and likely in more than one somewhere) questioning his or her sexuality (or perhaps absolutely certain), afraid to talk about it with family or friends or at school or at their church, and then they see the President of the United States on network television standing up for inclusion, respect, and equality, standing up for them. Important words to someone feeling isolated and alone.
Once again - Cheers, Mr. President.
(Also, Joe Biden just ahead of the curve - who knew!)
Everybody in, nobody out.
IBL:mm
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Well-said.
ReplyDeleteIt gave me the same uncanny feeling I got when he gave that astonishing speech on race back in 2008, during the Rev. Jeremiah Wright kerfuffle. I remember listening to it, literally (i.e., physically) wincing when he kept returning to the topic & the Rev. explicitly.
I suddenly realized that something inside me was saying, "no, you distanced yourself quickly & effectively, now move on with vague & reassuring verbiage and by the way, extra heavy on the vague, maybe a little gauzy on the side."
It was then that I realized how much of the poison I'd ingested over the years - I expected, even (as a result of some cynical political calculus) *wanted* my guy to change the subject ASAP. I felt a little ashamed when I realized it. Of course, I'd had ample opportunity to feel ashamed as an American over the preceding 8 years, but this was personal. Imagine that - an American presidential candidate who made me feel morally stained...*that* had never happened before.
Proud to be an Obama supporter? Yep.
A fine speech that was indeed. Thanks for this...
ReplyDeleteAny persons basking in the warmth of the moment should not read my statements here. I agree it's good Obama has taken this position. I voted for Obama. Then witnessed the backpedaling on so many key issues. Audacity of hope turning to audacity of political expediency. Wake up people. You are grasping at straws. The US presidency, legislature and judiciary are puppets of the corporatocracy. For the foreseeable future, there will be no gains, only losses in the realm of civil liberties, tolerance and equality. Even though fully half the country is of the liberal persuasion, the strategy of the plutocracy is divide and conquer. Refuse compromise. Promote animosity, insecurity and militarism both at home and abroad. Distract from the real issues. Dilute cultural diversity, human interaction and debate. Privatize and commodify. Harvest wealth from the masses.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to know how anyone can be proud to be an American since Hiroshima. Sure the moon landing was nice. But that same year Nixon escalated the illegal bombing of Cambodia which resulted in the loss of 10's of thousands of lives. If you ask me, it spoils the party. Where will the US military be deployed after Iraq and Afghanistan? You think it will just sit at home? The trumped up reasons? War on terror, war on drugs, war on communism, protection of private (corporate) interests, whatever.
American's pathologically deny or ignore the continuing militant and environmental horrors we perpetrate and perpetuate. The end of cheap energy will bring it all home. The stresses will build. We're going to get what we deserve.
15 years from now, life in America will be very much worse. Everyone will have a friend or family member in jail and be fearful of any knock on the door.
OK, I'm sounding like a nutcase. I could talk with you on the street and you wouldn't hear any of this rant. My partner and I are looking forward to very happy and exciting next couple of years, as we prepare our lifeboat. I've never before enjoyed so much personal freedom to pursue art and information and hopefully wisdom.
Please tell me how we're going to stop that future from happening. How long before Citizen's United v. FEC is overturned? How are we going to manage a soft landing as realities of water, energy, environment and debt take over?
Too little too late. Obama should be pushing federal legislation. This is a civil rights issue plain and simple. It shouldn't be left to the discretion of the states.
ReplyDeleteFirst, to the shorter of your two responses, I agree completely - federal issue, should not be left to the discretion of the states. As far as too little too late, I may not share QUITE your amount of cynicism/pessimism/realism there...
ReplyDelete