Some are saying Jarrett's "lifestyle choice" comment was a dog whistle.

[Stinky The Clown]

To that I ask, probably stupidly, to whom?

[pnwmom]

1. I have no idea what that means. n/t

[begin_within]

2. Paddy Roberts?

[scheming daemons]

3. It's a term that religious right types use... and she should apologize

[izzybeans]

4. Sometimes people say such things.

Some people say, anyway. I don't think its fair to say what is being said of Valerie Jarrett. It's irrational reactionary bullshit.

Others listen to the entire message and realize that she like many people have no clue how sexual attraction is formed during the lifecourse. It was a stupid word choice, but her message about violence against gay youth and how even children of supportive parents aren't safe, ring home to me, as a parent.

People short cut causes of sexual attraction, some people pretend its a conscious choice others pretend its some genetic mutation driving behavior. Both are ridiculous reductionist drivel, but politically salient, yay!

[cherokeeprogressive]

5. If I had to guess, I'd say Independent Voters.

Might it have been a way to signal them "don't worry, we're not going too gay on you" meaning "we'll toss them a bone, but promise not to go overboard or bend over backward to get them the rights they think they deserve, the divisive whiners".

[riderinthestorm]

6. Yup, exactly.

The religious right has used this term for decades. So independents who may have been wavering will hear this and go "aha!", they aren't going with "hte gay agenda" (whatever the fuck that means! dammit)

It's ALL dog whistles and pandering bullshit imho. From Donnie McClurkin to the Reverend Rick Warren, the GLBT community isn't stupid. This is just another episode in this Admin's policy of trying to have it both ways - to be something for everyone.

[QC]

8. They've been blowing that particular dog whistle ever since the days of

"HE'S ONLY GOING TO SING ONE SONG!1!!11!!"

[mitchtv]

7. hardly a dog whistle

clearly a nasty remark, no leeway that I can see

[QC]

9. True. This is not a dog whistle.

[Lex]

10. Trying to score political points on the corpse of a dead gay kid?

Beneath contempt if true.

[Gormy Cuss]

11. If it was, we know for certain who it wasn't calling:

the "professional left," progressives, and the like.

[Canuckistanian]

12. Dog whistle? It was a freakin' air raid siren.

Those two little words mean, "I hate gay people, but I better choose my words carefully here"

[backscatter712]

13. I'd say the remark was dumb and insensitive, but not intentional or malicious. n/t

[donheld]

14. I'd say 100% bullshit

[CBR]

17. I agree. nt

[Number23]

15. Why not ask the person who said it?

Because it's a good question. Definitely one of the first times that you have asked a question I felt was worth answering.

[bvar22]

16. I disagree.

It was MORE than a Dog Whistle."
It was a revelation of covert bigotry,
and propagation of an untruth.

[VMI Dem]

18. Bigots...such as those that oppose marriage equality for gays.

:shrug:

[Greyhound]

19. To those mythical 'centrist undecideds' that they are just sure are going to vote for them someday

if they can just be a little more republican.
:eyes:

[blondeatlast]

20. "Some people say..."

Stinky, you're pulling our legs, right?

[ecstatic]

21. A whistle is meant to rile up hatred in certain groups

Please explain how her comment did that.

[Stinky The Clown]

27. Why are you asking me to explain it?

Re-read, please, the OP.

[NMMNG]

22. It's her dog whistle to the anti-gays

"I'm just making this little statement to appease Teh Gays. They've been squabbling lately for the WH to say something because of all that stuff that's been going on, you know. And we have to say something or we risk losing their votes, gullible little bastards that they are. But don't worry, it's not like we're going to actually do anything--and your right to hate them and bully them to death certainly isn't in any danger. Carry on as you have been. "

[donco6]

23. Those who appreciate Donnie McClurkin's contribution to O's campaign.

They appreciate his "choice of lifestyle."

[Radical Activist]

24. She was speaking to a gay reporter who often writes on LGBT issues.

Why would she send an anti-gay dog whistle to the LGBT community? That makes no sense.

[Stinky The Clown]

26. You're raising willful misinterpretation to an art form

[Radical Activist]

28. I stated plain facts.

What am I misinterpreting? Please explain to me why someone would intentionally send an anti-gay dog whistle by speaking to a gay reporter who frequently writes on LGBT issues. Because to me, that sounds completely irrational.

[Divine Discontent]

25. it means saying something that only "dogs" could hear, so who are the dogs, of course,

religious voters. I am Christian, but not a bigot, but there's plenty of them that are. The "dogs" in this case are the bigots that hear a top adviser for the president calling living Gay as a lifestyle choice (how deeply offensive...). That term really offends Gay Christians, just so people understand. Yes, it offends atheists, and other beliefs too, but Gay Christians have heard it relentlessly growing up in church. That's why I have church in my heart, or go to a Gay friendly open church if I'm near one.