Obama and DOMA

I'm going to be labeled an apologist here. And I generally avoid politics in this blog.

But I can see one reason for the over the top DOJ defense. None of the arguments are new; the LGBT has heard language contained in the DOJ brief many many times over the years. What if that's the point? What if the defense brought out the worst of the worst and these were invalidated by a judge. What if in light of these classic arguments, the ruling judges agree that these arguments should not be baked into the law of the land for whatever reason?

Time and time again, people have overreacted to something Obama has done, only to be quieted by what proved to be shrewd thinking on his part. For some reason I don't think this situation is any different.

A picture paints two relationships

A lot of noise has been made about the relationship between President Obama and Michelle. Back in September, there was an article on Huffington Post by Kathlyn and Gary Hendricks about the Obama relationship, describing it as a merger of equals and postulating on the benefit that would bring to the office. 

This picture that I snapped from NBC is an illustration of that point. Laura hangs off Pres. Bush's arm in a more classic 'stand by your man' pose. Contrast that by the 'side by side' hand-holding of the Obamas. It will be interesting to see the role Michelle will play in the coming years. 

44

I watched the President Obama's swearing in ceremony. For all of the hype, the actual deed is rather dull and he kinda flubbed the words.

I haven't spent a lot of time talking politics in this blog but it is an amazing day in our history. I certainly never thought I would see the day an African American leads this nation. Expectations are high; I hope he manages to be better than we thought possible. 

Oh to be in Washington tonight. What a party.

My POV on the Obama / Warren controversy

This is an email I wrote to Andrew Sullivan. 

As a gay man I understand the hurt that is coursing through the gay community at the moment. As you highlighted, it is coursing on the other side too [pro-lifers and other evangelicals] and based on what I have read and what I know about that community, having lived in it, they feel the same sense of betrayal. 

What Obama is saying is calculated and it is very clear. We are going to need to work with people with whom we disagree on a few issues for the common good. He highlighted what he shared in common with Warren. We need to put those lens back on. Share vs. division. 

Republicans have used these relatively minor issues – and objection to gay marriage truly only effects the Keynsian 10% of the US population – to divert us from the GINORMOUS problems this country faces. Before we get our panties in a bunch, we need to think about where are are AS A NATION. We are in the midst of a financial and social crisis not seen since the Depression. We have been buffeted with winds that have destabilized the basics of life – food, energy and housing. Some asswipe just stole $50 billion dollars from hard working people and he still gets to walk the streets of Park Avenue. Because of him and many others, there is a crisis of faith in our financial system, which has been the key to the success of this country for many many years. 

Gay marriage is important but all of us having jobs in a smooth running economy is FAR more important. If I can't put food on my table, gay marriage means nothing to me. I imagine many many Americans feel the same. 

Gays are a minority and like other minorities, at this time in our country's history, we need to be part of the majority – Americans.