I am going to quote someone who commented on the Senate's repeal earlier today:
"President Obama did the right thing in waiting for congressional law, even if he didn't have to. This way is doubly valuable because it shows the support of the general public, and it cannot be reversed by the next president. (Not that that was likely to happen.) Some senior military guys, like the Marine general, might continue to fuss, but this way they cannot do so without resigning. Some might claim he doesn't know what he is doing, but with the whole congress behind him, it isn't just his decision."
How do you feel about the repeal of DADT? Do you feel this is a step forward? Millions of Americans don't feel that way, including former Republican presidential candidate, John McCain. He fought it as hard as he could until the last minute when he voted against the repeal. Do you feel like McCain does? Anyone feel in between? Don't care? Is the economy more important than human rights?
Thanks,
Edward
Icssoma
12-20-2010, 09:50 AM
I am going to quote someone who commented on the Senate's repeal earlier today:
How do you feel about the repeal of DADT? Do you feel this is a step forward? Millions of Americans don't feel that way, including former Republican presidential candidate, John McCain. He fought it as hard as he could until the last minute when he voted against the repeal. Do you feel like McCain does? Anyone feel in between? Don't care? Is the economy more important than human rights?
Thanks,
Edward
thought i would be more excited. i am glad. have worked long & hard for this. when he signs it into law perhaps will feel more like celebrating. the bush tax cuts, & the 9/11 responders bill, are so discouraging. try to focus on the rays of light, as a long time mover & shaker in the political world, get more joy from changes in my front yard. the immediacy, daily gratification. (rescue horses from torture, across the boarder slaughter, bad legislation w. no built in alternatives, working w. at risk youth).
i think often of alan turing, as well as our huge loss of translators, & when i think of mr. turing, feel better that justice is likely round the corner.
this was the clinton strategy, & tho he wasn't able to pass health care, hillary learned from her approach, & bill couldn't do more for the military, these are real legacies of his presidency.
obama is caving to banks and wall street, not that clinton wasn't there, but it is one thing in a time of prosperity, another now. i don't understand why he doesn't approach buffet, stockman, gates, etc. to do a dog & pony show. visibility from republicans & the rich, thanks warren for being a demo, on the issue of taxes & deficit reduction feel of utmost importance in getting us out of this horrible financial crisis.
obama was able to fight w. hillary, speak w. dignity, rouse the crowd, i feel his talking points have lacked enthusiasm, & the "kill" instinct of when he was running. whether truth (or lie, major downfall), clinton remained an orator, a rally point, where is obama, where is michelle? she is loved & admired & could do so much. i feel like barack is somewhere in a tunnel.
maybe he should consult jon stewart?
i believe the country would rally around a dog & pony show put together by obama & his team.
stockman republican god of taxes has spoken, he thinks the current republicans are on a death course. get that admired regan tax cutter out there.
put on a show of patriots to cut our deficit in half & get americans back to work.
supporter of nclr, since it's inceptions as lrp, 30 years ago.
lst year i didn't give them a donation. my $ donations now are small, unless "stuff" & trying to give so carefully.
Valley Oak
12-20-2010, 11:26 AM
When I first read the news about the repeal I immediately went to several online newspapers to get as much information as I could. Of all of the articles I read, the title of one of them stood out the most for me. It made an obvious and simple observation that although this was an important step forward, the repeal of DADT does not give the LGBTQQI community all of the rights they deserve. It is merely one right gained among many more that are still denied us. Some of those yet to be conquered are the repeal of DOMA and same-sex marriage rights in all 50 states.
Regarding all of your other worthy observations, I have this to say. American democracy is obsolete and has been for several decades. Ironically, the great majority of American citizens mistakenly believes that the US is one of the best, if not probably the best, democracy in the world. Democracy in the US is of very low quality, not only because it was designed well over two centuries ago, but more specifically because it is locked into a two-party system, which is devastatingly undemocratic. Furthermore, the United States is perhaps the only country in the world that operates with a divided government; this means that the people in power do not necessarily have the support of the majority in the nation's legislature (Congress, for the US).
Additionally, the two-party system is created by our method of electing public officeholders, which is called "first-past-the-post." In order to have full representation of everyone's public policy interests (or at least that of the overwhelming majority of US citizens), there needs to be 'proportional representation' and, therefore, a multi-party system. Although these concepts may sound obscure, they define our nation, our democracy, and our people; we should be familiar with them because it is about who we are and what our country is like. Despite the importance of this knowledge, almost 100% of Americans are completely unfamiliar with the terms I just mentioned.
American democracy is broken (just like Obama said of our healthcare system). And as such, American democracy must be used like a broken tool in order to accomplish as best as we can what our system is incapable of delivering: democracy.
Edward
thought i would be more excited. i am glad. have worked long & hard for this. when he signs it into law perhaps will feel more like celebrating. the bush tax cuts, & the 9/11 responders bill, are so discouraging. try to focus on the rays of light, as a long time mover & shaker in the political world, get more joy from changes in my front yard. the immediacy, daily gratification. (rescue horses from torture, across the boarder slaughter, bad legislation w. no built in alternatives, working w. at risk youth).
i think often of alan turing, as well as our huge loss of translators, & when i think of mr. turing, feel better that justice is likely round the corner.