Gays, blacks, transsexuals, women, lesbians, transgendered people and bisexuals.

[EmilyAnne]

Gays, blacks, transsexuals, women, lesbians, transgendered people and bisexuals have all been treated like shit in this country.
That shouldn't be news to any of us.
Furthermore, there should be a place for all of us: the Democratic Party.

Having said all that, let's cut the bullshit.

1. The LGBT community is going to be rightfully concerned about Obama's McClurkin ordeal.

2. African Americans are going to be rightfully concerned about Bill Clinton's comparison of Jesse Jackson to Barack Obama.

3. The LGBT community is going to be rightfully concerned about Barack Obama's comments about how his religion conflicts with gay marriage.

4. The African American community is going to be rightfully concerned about Hillary Clinton's racist fundraiser Harry Lee.

5. Women are going to be concerned when they hear stupid comments about Hillary Clinton's hips and thighs or speculation about her undergoing PMS or menopause.

6. We ALL, as Democrats, should be rightfully concerned about all of these issues.

I don't think anyone is eagerly searching for any old reason to be upset. Accusing people of race-baiting, gay card playing, having faux outrage, or being "shoulder pad feminists" is ridiculous. We need to listen to the people who have been thrown under the bus one too many times. Even if we interpret certain facts and read the candidates differently, the LGBT community, women and African Americans all have legitimate fears.

[NDambi]

1. Damn Skippy..and let's not leave out the altering of Obama's photo by the Clinton Camp..outrageous

Or her subtle..well, "as far as I know" muslim comment...or the drug comments in New Hampshire and on and on! Oh and her MLK, LBJ comments...of course, everyone else's mileage on this topic may vary...

C'est La Vie!

[maddiejoan]

5. debunked

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/did_clinton_darken_obamas_skin.html

[cali]

7. Nope. Factcheck says it was darkened and that this is a common

tactic in attack ads. That may excuse it for you, but it won't for a lot of people.

[LeftCoast]

9. "Some Obama backers cry "racism." We find the accusation to be unsubstantiated."

BTW, that's from almost the first line of the report.

[NDambi]

25. Unsubstantiated doesn't work for me..I've heard it my entire life...I know dark dirt when I see it..

[maddiejoan]

11. pathetic attempt

but since you are feeling depressed, I'll let it slide.

[cali]

15. Actually I'm not feeling at all depressed. It's a gorgeous day

here and it might actually get over thirty and start to melt the 12 ft+ snowbanks.

I haven't made up my mind one way or the other about the ad, but Factcheck does say what I posted.

I'm feeling quite hopeful about Obama's chances. He may well end up with more delegates from TX than Hill, he'll pick up the majority of Mississippi's delegates and Wyoming's. He picked up 5 SDs yesterday. He'll be picking up more today. By the end of next week, he'll have increased his lead over her, and then he has 5 weeks to campaign in PA. Who wouldn't feel good about that?

[EmilyAnne]

16. The fact is, the photo was darkened. That was proven. Now, we move on to motive.

Some people are going to be suspicious and other people aren't. I don't think its a pathetic attempt to smear Hillary just for the hell of it...its just a subjective take on the same set of facts. Some people are legitimately hurt by the darkened appearance of that ad. It opens old wounds.

Personally, I don't think the photo was darkened with racist motives. Still, I understand why so many people see it and react with fear and suspicion. It wouldn't be the first time a politician did something like that.

BTW, I wish that the person or agency responsible for the ad would release a statement on how and why the image was darkened.

[NDambi]

26. Thank You EmilyAnne...

Until you know my joy, know my pain, and know my struggles
Until you've walked these shoes, paid my dues, and felt my troubles
Until you've shared my tears, known my fears, in all my years
Only til then, you only know what you think you know

---Raheem Devaughn, "Until"

[EmilyAnne]

27. That's a beautiful poem. Thanks for posting it! n/t

[NDambi]

24. Sorry...it's a done deal...for me..

[jefferson_dem]

13. Disgusting tactics.

[terrya]

2. Yes.

They're all valid concerns to people.

With me, it's Donnie McClurkin. It was an example of a Presidential candidate disrespecting a core consituency of the Democratic Party. It was a Presidential candidate giving a shill of the "ex-gay" movement a voice at a fundraiser...instead of condemning the movement that McClurkin endorses. And then not apologizing for it after. Hearing Obama say afterward that he "strongly disagrees" with McClurkin was meaningless. Not when talking about people who say that you are "sick". Along with his stance on same-sex marriage and McClurkin and what seems like minimal interest in GLBT people and their lives (see Bluebear's post in this forum), I frankly don't trust Barack Obama on issues relating to the GLBT community. For instance, I consider it, in light of the killings of Lawrence King and Sammie Williams recently, a high priority to pass the Matthew Shepard Act. But I'm not sure Barack Obama cares enough to vigorously push for this legislation.

[cali]

4. well many of us see the clintons as having exhibited contempt

for African Americans and much of the country. It's obvious why AAs might feel this way, but Clinton's contempt for states that don't vote for her or rules that she doesn't think apply to her are something I find very offensive. Threatening law suit after law suit, dissing people and states that vote for Obama, not to mention her friendships with the likes of Dov Hikind and Lee.

[EmilyAnne]

18. And regardless of who wins, we will still have to hold their feet to the fire on this stuff.

Personally, I want gay marriage. Period. My gay friends in frickin Catholic Spain are getting married left and right. Why can't we? The civil union thing is such a pandering cop out. I'll be happy when that passes, but I won't stop pushing for more. I think that both candidates will need a nudge to keep things going. That goes for the passing on the Matthew Shepherd Act, too. Something that must pass. One thing we know FOR SURE is that McCain won't give a rat's ass about any of us.

[terrya]

23. I certainly agree.

Look, on same-sex marriage...I don't expect a President Hillary Clinton or a President Obama to be able to do much of anything. Realistically, this country isn't there yet. Sadly, I think that the marriage amendment on the ballot in Florida this Novemeber will pass. And the case before the California Supreme Court on the constitutionality of same-sex marriage may turn out in our favor...but I can't be sure.

But a President Obama or a President Hillary Clinton CAN do some things. They can put the weight of their administrations into passing the Matthew Shepard Act. And ENDA. And they can repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell.

And I agree that we must hold both candidates feet to the fire on this. And John McCain won't do a damn thing for us.

[rug]

3. Clinton's record with African Americans is miles ahead of Obama's with LGBTs.

[cali]

6. Actually, it's not.

African Americans clearly want nothing whatsoever to do with the Clintons after their race baiting. The GLBT community is split and Clinton herself has plenty of supporters and friends who are anti-gay or bigoted in other ways. Dov Hikind, Lee, Rivers.

[rug]

8. Record goes back a lot farther than the spin of the day.

[Laughing Mirror]

10. LGBT rightfully concerned about Hillary Clinton's multiple conflicts with gay marriage

To wit:

"Marriage has got historic, religious and moral content that goes back to the beginning of time, and I think a marriage is as a marriage always has been, between a man and a woman." - Hillary Clinton, opposing same-sex marriages, quoted in The New York Daily News.

Historic, religious & moral reasons not to call it marriage.

[maddiejoan]

12. But that is not her opinion now

so what is your point?

[Laughing Mirror]

14. When did she change her opinion?

Or, a better question, how many reasons can you find not to call it marriage?

[greguganus]

17. delete

No need for me to post in this thread.

[EmilyAnne]

19. Well, that depends. Are you a vet? Are you unemployed? Are you poor? Did your job get shipped

off to China? Watcha got?


;)

[greguganus]

20. delete

Same reason as above.

[polmaven]

21. Very well said, Emily

but it is apparently not penetrating with many GD-P dwellers.

[Ian David]

22. All points very well taken and well made. n/t