On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” let me say this: If the stupid policy isn’t gone by this time next year, then gays who voted Democratic were used.

On this we agree. Even the Republican candidates couldn’t muster more than the vaguest and most luke-warm support for this dinosaur.

I think you are right about DOMA being around awhile.

But I think you are wrong about hate crimes. Conservatives have serious constitutional concerns about the hate crime concept itself, and will not like such a major expansion of federal authority. Even if Republicans can’t stop such a measure in the House, they can use the filibuster against it in the Senate — and almost certainly will.

On “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” let me say this: If the stupid policy isn’t gone by this time next year, then gays who voted Democratic were used.

“LDS leader calls for healing the gay-marriage rift”

http://www.sltrib.com/News/ci_10912217?source=rss

So let me get this straight: L. Whitney Clayton declares that we deserve only second-class citizenship, that our relationships are effectively worthless, mounting a campaign driven solely by bigotry and contempt and bolstered by lies and thuggery — and he has the gall to call for “civility, with respect and with love?”

Do these people have anti-social personality disorder? I’m serious.

After that, I would prefer that ENDA be first up to bat. If I’m not mistaken, protection from employment discrimination is our single most popular issue with the general public — every survey I’ve seen in the past 10 years shows overwhelming support from almost all demographics (I’ve even seen some that show majority support from evangelicals!).

We have successfully passed and defended anti-discrimination laws on the state and local level in many places, and I believe ENDA even passed the Senate in the late 90s. Obama has pledged his support, the Democratic Congress would pass it, it would enjoy broad support among the general public (or at least be the least divisive thing we could push), and could make an enormous difference in the lives of literally millions of people.

I live in a big city in California, and always had protection from job discrimination, both under employer policy of the companies and local/state law. Many of our GLBT brethren in other parts of the country are not so lucky. It would be great to do something for the janitor in Alabama or the nurse in Idaho who have had to spend years in the closet for fear of losing their livelihood. Out of basic solidarity, of course, but I also hope to see a blossoming of new activism in all corners of the country once these protections are in place.

We should also be paying close attention to judicial appointments.

Obama shouldn’t touch DOMA– it’s too soon, given the economic mess. The country is not ready to go there yet. Hint: Remember Clinton in 1994 when he lost both houses of Congress.

We don’t need is to start yelling or have another Stonewall. This is not 1969 anymore and it’s precisely the WRONG thing to do. The left wingers need to be kept in check.

I’m telling you: right wing talk radio and nuts like Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh will be all over him on January 20 and it will be a relentless, daily assault.

Dim the lights and cue the sinister sounding music: O’Reilly’s already starting the mantra: “We just don’t know enough about how he’ll govern.” (Yes, we do.)

In other words, they’re sowing the seeds of doubt and he’s not even in office yet. Middle America– not the brightest folks– buy into that crap.

And unfortunately, this country is not as liberal as those on the west coast think.

You think they went after Clinton?? Hah! We ain’t seen nuthin’ yet. They are going to try to trip him up at every turn. They’ll fail, but he needs to balance the hot button social issues with building confidence on addressing economic issues first, or we could be hurt in the mid term elections in 2010.

The state senate in New York is now in Democratic control and very likely gay marriage will pass LEGISLATIVELY there, as opposed to a court ruling.

Patience is the key here. Civil rights don’t happen all at once.

With three admendments failing and the right to adopt gone in one state, the Congress will not have to look at any of our issues. We are just dreaming.

We need to loudly start yelling, we need to have another Stonewall.

Actually, we shouldn’t be pushing nor expect anything whatsoever from this congress in the first year. Obama will have his hands full with other issues. I think our patience in those matters should be well rewarded. Though there is always the idea that we should grab for what we can because things between the President and Congress might go sour, even if they are of the same party.

Still waiting seems to be more prudent, virtuous, and doesn’t get our “agenda” branded as overly avaricious.

-Passage of the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA)

-Repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell (DADT), the ban on gays serving in the military.

All of these are doable as well as lifting the HIV travelers ban. DOMA is too controversial, and I seriously doubt he will tackle that. However, I do believe this is a fight that needs to be taken to the Supreme Court. With the current pending lawsuits in California, there is a good chance that may very well happen. Once the 2 -3 justices retire (as I am told they will do) Obama can get some nominations that could reasonably apply the Constiution (as it should be) based on equality alone.