Gay critics say "too little too late" from Obama

[HopeOverFear]

(CNN) -- President Obama's decision to grant some benefits to the same-sex partners of federal employees is seen by some as his attempt to extend an olive branch to the gay and lesbian community, but critics say it's "too little, too late."


"It seems to me at least to be a nice gesture, but a disappointment," said Richard Kim, a senior editor at The Nation magazine.

The memorandum Obama signed Wednesday is not expected to grant health and retirement benefits to same-sex partners, as that is prohibited under the Defense of Marriage Act.

"It will absolutely be seen as something good -- but I think, for example, it not including full health insurance -- that is going to put a real microscope on that question. You know, why not?," Kim said, adding that memo applies only to federal employees, so most people will not be affected by it.

Charles Moran, the spokesman for the Log Cabin Republicans said the lack of full benefits in Thursday's memorandum shows a lack of commitment to the gay community.

"That's the part that just shows that the Obama administration really isn't serious about their promises to the gay and lesbian community. Things like the health benefits, things like retirement benefits and coverage for spouses. These are the core issues," Moran said.

"Why start the marathon if you're not serious about ending the race?" he added.

White House officials involved in discussions with gay-rights advocates say that Obama favors extending full health care benefits to same-sex couples but that will take legislation to accomplish.

Moran said Obama has had multiple opportunities to fulfill his promises to the gay and lesbian community -- including by repealing the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy and standing against the Justice Department motion filed last week in support of the Defense of Marriage Act.

[stray cat]

1. Too little too late - implies a consequence. The only Repub that would be better is Cheney

at least on this issue

[Cha]

3. I don't believe for a second that cheney would do

anything..and what do the log cabiners have to bitch about?

"Charles Moran, the spokesman for the Log Cabin Republicans said the lack of full benefits in Thursday's memorandum shows a lack of commitment to the gay community."

They bow down to bush and cheney and now they're complaining about Obama?

Hypocrites.

[sniffa]

13. I guess some would prefer President McCain

[sandnsea]

2. Hmmm, a senior editor at a national magazine

presumably very well educated...

doesn't know why full benefits weren't extended despite knowing about DOMA...

and even though Barney Frank has said why?

"Representative Barney Frank, a Massachusetts Democrat who is also gay, said Obama went “as far as he can” with the memorandum.

“This is the maximum he is allowed to do under the law, and we have to change the law,” he said after attending an event on financial regulations at the White House."

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ar3fMvMxR.RQ

[asphalt.jungle]

8. notice he said "we", meaning he and his colleagues in congress

at least one congressman isn't trying to deflect and distract his constituents from the fact that congress is responsible for making laws.

[Number23]

26. Thank you for the link, the quote and the perspective.

[MarjorieG]

4. I get the GLBT to not be satisfied, but we are against some serious stuff in this country. Affecting

every person in this country, which GLBT is also a part of. Why must we compete?

[sniffa]

9. The Cold War is affecting all Americans

which the African American community is also a part of. Why must we compete?

[ruggerson]

10. +1

[Political Tiger]

5. They quote the Log Cabin Republicans?

LOLOLOL!!!!!

[Number23]

28. Says it all, don't it?? Next up, Jews for Jesus and Vegans who Secretly Love Prime Rib!

:crazy:

[zulchzulu]

6. Isn't that sweet...

I'm so glad the fucking Log Cabin Republicans's spokeman chimed in about the decision... after all, the Republicans sure like to help out on LGBT issues...

:crazy:

[sniffa]

12. It must be poutrage

about not getting a pony some other dismissive thing.

[Thrill]

7. too little too late? wow

Sounds like there is nothing he could do now then.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

11. The gays need to learn their place. Their rights are WAY far down on our agenda.

Maybe they can wait 50 years or so... when public opinion accepts their lifestyle.

I don't have anything against them, but they need to shut up for now.


I have lots of gay friends, so I'm not homophobic... and the man who cuts my hair is a queer.. he's so funny! We have lots of laughs when he cuts my hair, so I can't be a bigot.

Like many people on DU, I say, "What the f***?" Why don't these GLBT'ers give Obama a chance. Why be so nasty? He's playing chess. Just wait.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

14. Much too little, nowhere near too late.

If this is all Obama does to advance gay rights during his term in office, it would be pathetic.

Since he has only been in power for a few months, it seems highly probable that it will not be.

[CakeGrrl]

18. Hey - a REASONABLE perspective

It's pretty pathetic that it stands out lately.

:crazy:

[HopeOverFear]

22. I know I had to read that twice to make sure I wasn't seeing things

lol

[RollWithIt]

15. So ummm, basically you gave benefits to same sex couples in the US government (setting precident)

But fuckoff? Because you didn't give us everything we wanted in the first six months? Huh? These things take time! And guess what. Eight years of Obama is going to give you 200000000000000000000000000000000000 times what any Republican would make happen. But ya. ok. /cry

[salguine]

16. It would not be a serious distraction from more urgent matters to do the

right thing in this whole case. Hell, I'm straight and I'm pretty pissed. If I were gay I would be fucking furious. Furious enough to wash my hands of this administration.

And before I get accused of wanting a goddamned pony, the only pony I want is named "Justice". For EVERYBODY.

[vaberella]

17. hey wait...the only way for Gays to get anything "substantial" is to repeal DOMA/DADT.

That doesn't go upon Obama's orders. You know that right. I realize people assume because Bush did it...then Obama can do it. It doesn't work like that. Obama can't write a few memos and turn something into damn law. He doesn't control Congress to do shit like that. And there are enough people in Congress who want him to fail in every regard...note to you: Gitmo is a perfect example.

Further more, I thought people on this board wanted Obama to follow the law and the process due to the division of power and not the same format as Bush. However, I'm noticing a double standard. When it comes to the needs and demands of progressives---fuck division of power, fuck rule of law because what you want is right and that should take precedent. No, it does not take precedent. I'd rather the process followed even if I fuckin' hate it.

Secondly, don't act like Obama is doing nothing as your position implies. This is not something that someone just rights off on . Did you not note the memorandum on the White House website that this benefits package was in the works for MONTHS. This is not something that can just be drawn up. It even stated that they had to look into the laws of the land to make sure they weren't breaking anything in order to pass this. It's not like the OPM or the SOS don't have other things they're pushing through. They have tons and this is just one of many---for our bloody benefit. They probably just issued this memo to show they were doing something on the subject.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x8477371

And as a final point...if you notice that this was in the works for months that means there are things we are not always privy too. There is information and things going on in the background that we are not all knowledgeable about b/c Obama would not be getting much work done but on tv telling us everything he's doing. Yet, to so many he did nothing. This is not nothing and it shows he doesn't only care about LGBT issues but the issues of everyone and he's trying to push things through.

[SeattleGirl]

23. I was just saying almost the exact same thing to MrSG tonight.

"Further more, I thought people on this board wanted Obama to follow the law and the process due to the division of power and not the same format as Bush. However, I'm noticing a double standard. When it comes to the needs and demands of progressives---fuck division of power, fuck rule of law because what you want is right and that should take precedent. No, it does not take precedent. I'd rather the process followed even if I fuckin' hate it."

I know there are a lot of things that Obama could do by executive order/memorandum, but they would be too easily undone, I think. I would like to see laws repealed or changed or whatever needs to be done, in Congress. I don't want a repeat of the last 8 years, with a President who just does whatever the fuck he wants, the hell with what anybody thinks.

[Connie_Corleone]

19. Too little too late after only 5 months in office?

Obama can't give full benefits like health care to same-sex couples because DOMA is still LAW! Congress has to repeal DOMA. The bill that's in Congress right now will help give full benefits to same-sex couples (government employees) and Obama said he supports that bill.

Obama is not a magical genie. He can't do all this by himself.

[izzybeans]

20. So says a Republican named Moran.

[jenmito]

21. "Gay critics"=critics. "Log Cabin Republicans"=critics. Why should we listen to people

who disagree with Obama anyway?

[Cant trust em]

31. Are you serious? nt

[HughMoran]

24. 10+ years of an admittedly awful law & 5 months of the worst economy + all Bush fucked up on top of

that and it's time to give up on Obama already?

Well, I just hope he eventually fixes all the issues that we face as a country within 8 years including the economy, health care, gay marriage and other gay rights, energy policy and global warming and perhaps eventually prosecute some of the torture promoters. It's a lot of work, but I think slow and steady Obama is up to the task.

[ChimpersMcSmirkers]

25. So it's too late already?

The log cabin republican totally convinced me though that Obama hates gays.

[vaberella]

29. The four years are up----I guess you missed the memorandum.

Don't feel bad..I missed the memo too. I found out yesterday.

[MadBadger]

27. Too little maybe, but I dont understand how its too late.

[ecstatic]

30. Too late? So are relations permanently damaged?

Is the relationship between Pres. Obama and the LGBT community pretty much going to be reminiscent of the relationship between Bush and the black community? If so, what happens next?

[vaberella]

32. Obama get's voted out of office. There are already threads and people calling for it on DU. n/t

[ZombieHorde]

33. I disagree with the OP. The advancements are a step in the right direction and

although they are late, they are not "too late".