Interesting that some so-called Lefty Liberals

[dbackjon]

Don't think that marriage should be something that Obama or the Federal Government should be worrying about.

[DryRain]

1. I would hope that they mean that marriage ...

should be open to any two consenting adults, period. But I bet you found some posts on DU that don't quite say that, right?

[dbackjon]

2. Yup

Or at best, something not to be bothered with.

[longship]

3. Well, this DUer supports marriage equality for everybody.

Love is what is important. That's the only thing that matters.

I will stand next to the LGBT community any day.

[dbackjon]

4. Thank you!!

[eilen]

5. Civil rights is a core principle in our nation

so, I think the federal gov. should be concerned with it. If left to the states, we'd still have Jim Crow.

[MNBrewer]

6. They've been saying that for a very long time

Obama himself used to be one of the. Now, after we refused to let that shut us up, he has seen the light. Maybe those people you referenced will see the light, too, because we're STILL not going to shut up about marriage equality at the Federal level.

[dbackjon]

7. Obama still thinks it is a state-rights issue

White House said so yesterday.

[MNBrewer]

8. Well, true

I was thinking more of his previous "hands off" approach. At least now he's on the side of equality. I marvel that he thinks of anything like marriage equality as a states rights issue, but he does.

[DonViejo]

9. So do gay leaders that entered into the agreement

with the President; pursue equality as a state's rights issue.

[William769]

10. Sorry but that makes no sense.

Even though I support President Obama in more ways than one, he does seem to send mixed signals.

Do you think that all LGBT are in agreement on all thing's? Better yet do you think all Democrats are in agreement on all things?

It's a two way street for both sides but it's only a one way street when it comes to equality for all. Just sayin.

[DonViejo]

13. I know for a fact LGBTQ folk don't agree on all things...

but there are folks negotiating with political parties and elected officials to develop a strategy/strategies to win equality. To think otherwise is, imho, not very understanding.

[LostinRed]

15. Well not 100% sure what you're talking about

But you have to admit President Obama has been the best on gay rights of any President ever. Sure we have a long ways to go but I certainly would never criticize him on his gay rights record. He pretty much guaranteed there will never be a Democratic presidential nominee that doesn't support marriage equality.

[dbackjon]

11. What Gay Leaders?

No one speaks for me.

Civil Rights are NOT a state's issue.

[DonViejo]

12. Google it, same thing I did earlier today nt

[dbackjon]

14. Uh, little help?

Log Cabin Republicans?

[JackBeck]

18. Evan Wolfson from Freedom to Marry believes the best way we make our case for marriage equality

Is to win on a state-by-state level, so that we can show that momentum is on our side.

In the short term, let's look forward to the SCOTUS arguments at the end of March and the decision at the end of June.

[William769]

23. This is what we have to look for

"In the short term, let's look forward to the SCOTUS arguments at the end of March and the decision at the end of June."

Not this "Is to win on a state-by-state level, so that we can show that momentum is on our side." even a broken clock is right twice a day.

Going State by State how many wins are there compared to the losses? That number is staggering.

[Fearless]

20. +1

Civil rights are indeed NOT up to the states.

After all, I can think of a few who would ban interracial marriage, have banned same-sex marriage, would block equal rights for Black Americans, hell maybe even voting rights for women, and so on and so forth.

[stevenleser]

16. My response to you in your thread in META.

I really dont know why the administration chose to respond this way. It's a mistake.

It doesnt get him anything and it certainly can hurt him. It's pretty obvious at this point where the president stands. He is in favor of gay marriage and equal rights so I do not understand the administration trying to make a fine point about whether marriage is a state or federal issue.

The administration is on record as not defending at least one part of DOMA on the grounds it is unconstitutional, OK, that makes some of the gay marriage issue a federal issue.

I dont have a direct line to anyone in the administration but I am going to see if I can get that point in via some back channels. This is a mistake with no upside.

Adding here: As it stands, the White house is going to make my hall of shame for worst nonsense of the week for this remark when I do my show on Sunday, and I will explain why. That will probably get their attention.

[dbackjon]

22. This was what was so disappointing

And what we have seen in the past - flowering rhetoric, followed by a walking-back when pressed for details. And with a majority of Americans supporting gay marriage, an unneeded walking part under any circumstances, unless the Obama Adminstration truly believes this

[pinto]

17. Marriage laws have always been under State purview, iirc. We're making progress state by state.

I think Obama's clear statement in his inaugural address and recent Federal actions have supported equality. And I was glad to hear him use such a public event, nationally and internationally, to make comments about equality.

Many of us wanted to see some "bully pulpit" from this President. I think he stepped up.

[Fearless]

19. The same with the civil rights movement...

It is the job of the federal government to ensure that all Americans receive equal treatment under the law. The federal government had to force schools to integrate. This is no different.

[Behind the Aegis]

21. Doesn't surprise me at all. Our rights aren't a "priority."

Dontcha know there are other more important things that require his and the Feds attention! Be patient! Be most importantly, BE QUIET!

[uriel1972]

24. Hurmm

I think of it this way, "When everybody else is given a pony for free why are LGBTQI people criticized (did I say criticized, I meant mocked and ridiculed) for asking for theirs?" To me it seems a fair request, it won't break the bank.

[Creideiki]

25. Technically, it's not "everybody else" being given a pony

Environmentalists are in the same boat we are.

Poor people are in the same boat we are.

Unions are in the same boat that we are.

Ethnic and racial minorities are in the same boat that we are.

People who want to end the drug war now are in the same boat we are.

People who want health care to be a human right that everyone has access to are in the same boat we are.

Basically the Human Beings are in the same boat.

The only ones that always get what they want are the conservatives. And while we're all getting scraps and promises and nothing much, I'd rather be in the boat that I'm in with everybody above who believes in making a better world. The conservatives can ask their rich corporate masters if that shine on the boot they just licked is good enough. And when their response is a kick and an order to get back to licking, they happily do it.

So given the choice at wanting things to get better for everyone and the people whose creed is, "I got mine..." I'll stick where I am.