GetEQUAL GetsOBAMA's attention over DADT (full video)

[Clio the Leo]

lol @ "Do you wanna come UP HERE?"

Full video of last night's protest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eX9AMRV2ZHw

As planned, GetEQUAL protesters got Obama's attention at a fundraiser for Senator Barbara Boxer last night in Los Angeles, heckling the President over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and demanding equality for all Americans.

Here's the official transcript:

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell!”

THE PRESIDENT: We are going to do that. Hey, hold on a second, hold on a second. We are going to do that.

AUDIENCE: Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

THE PRESIDENT: Here we go. All right -- guys, guys, all right. I agree, I agree, I agree. (Applause.) Now --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no, no, listen. What the young man was talking about was we need to -- we need to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don't Tell,” which I agree with and which we have begun to do. (Applause.) But let me say this: When you’ve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you’ve got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don't know exactly why you’ve got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? (Applause.) I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it. (Applause.)

........

AUDIENCE MEMBER: It’s time for equality for all Americans!

THE PRESIDENT: I’m sorry, do you want to come up here? (Applause.) You know, the -- all right, because can I just say, once again, Barbara and I are supportive of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” so I don't know why you’re hollering.

Now, the problems that we have here put a further strain on folks in this state, forcing painful choices about where to spend and where to save. And the challenges folks have been facing here --

AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)

AUDIENCE: Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can! Yes, we can!

THE PRESIDENT: Barbara -- I just -- everybody, I just wanted to confirm -- I just wanted to confirm -- I just checked with Barbara, so if anybody else is thinking about starting a chant, Barbara didn’t even vote for “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” in the first place, so you know she’s going to be in favor of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” (Applause.)

http://www.towleroad.com/2010/04/watch-getequal-protesters-heckle-obama-demand-equality-for-all-americans-at-california-fundraiser.html

[monmouth]

1. The disruptors looked very foolish and did not aid their cause imo....n/t

[VisionsofJohanna]

12. they heckle Obama more than they did Bush

and there will be no apologies when he follows through on his pledge.

it's a shame, really.

[QC]

20. Wow, this troll did not last long.

Only five posts.

[Jennicut]

2. I really don't have a problem with protesting...it is free speech.

At least they were protesting a good cause. Bush couldn't handle protesters. Obama can.

[Bluenorthwest]

3. He needs to drop the fakery

Pretending he does not know why he's being protested? Wagging a finger at people he's already stated he does not think deserve equal rights, and he's confused as to why they are not in worship mode? He can not be that dense.
"Oh, here we go." Yep. Those people again, don't know their place, which is to sit down and shut up in public before your betters.
Equal is equal. Bigoted is bigoted. The end.

[Ian David]

5. I think he WELCOMED this. This is what he wants us to do. n/t

[TheWraith]

9. I don't think that's what he meant.

Getting up and heckling him during a speech doesn't whip any more votes for a repeal in the House, or speed along the legislative process. Just like with healthcare, cap and trade, etcetera, there is not and never has been a question about whether it would get signed if it makes it to the White House. Obama's not the problem, the legislative system is. Of course that's still a bit unfair, as things would be working far better and faster if the Republicans weren't trying to drag their feet on everything in the Senate, but it's life.

On edit: should have read farther down, my point was made by others including Obama himself.

[Ian David]

4. "I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it."

THE PRESIDENT: Here we go. All right -- guys, guys, all right. I agree, I agree, I agree. (Applause.) Now --
AUDIENCE MEMBER: (Inaudible.)
THE PRESIDENT: No, no, no, no, listen. What the young man was talking about was we need to -- we need to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don't Tell,” which I agree with and which we have begun to do. (Applause.) But let me say this: When you’ve got an ally like Barbara Boxer and you’ve got an ally like me who are standing for the same thing, then you don't know exactly why you’ve got to holler, because we already hear you, all right? (Applause.) I mean, it would have made more sense to holler that at the people who oppose it. (Applause.)
http://www.towleroad.com/2010/04/watch-getequal-protesters-heckle-obama-demand-equality-for-all-americans-at-california-fundraiser.html

But then again, wasn't it Obama who said he needs us to push him?

I get the feeling President Obama is actually GLAD when things like this happen.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

6. he might be glad, but he still makes a good point

Its usually better to try and get those opposed to support it then pushing those supporting it to...support it

[Tailormyst]

7. But he doesn't support it, not really

Except in words, sometimes. All he has done is told the pentagon to study it for a year, just in time for it to be "to close to an election" to do anything. Sadly, this was no surprise to most GBLT folks.

[TheWraith]

10. You must have missed him saying we need to repeal it this year at the SOTU. nt

[msongs]

8. obama is the one in power and dragging his feet. CLAIMING he favors repeal nt

[zulchzulu]

11. Congress needs to repeal this STUPID policy and Obama will sign the legislation

It's time to put all the pressure on Congress to repeal DADT. They have to go through legislative actions to permanently remove DADT.

An executive order by Obama to suspend DADT might seem like the right idea, but then there is the argument that Congress would then not want to have to go through the legislative process to fully and completely end it.

Congress needs to do its job. Obama clearly is on record supporting the end of DADT.

I Hope the GetEqual coalition is pressuring Congress people to vote on it.

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

13. That's correct

Repealing DADT requires an Act of Congress, signed by the President. Legislation has been introduced in the House and Senate to do just that.

[whistler162]

16. Shhh.. don't spoil the indignation......

[vaberella]

14. Unfortunately people seem to think the President can do it all alone.

They don't realize the real people at fault are actually their Congressmen/women and Senators.

[IndianaGreen]

15. Obama could use STOP-LOSS to prevent discharges under DADT

but he won't do that.

[vaberella]

17. He stated his reason for that.

This has been discussed many times. Congress is seriously dragging their feet on this. Even after the one year review they might continuously drag their feet on this. STOP-LOSS is not a remedy. He clearly stated, and from what I can gather Congress will use Stop-Loss as an excuse to take even longer and probably not process the end of DADT in his term. Once again, Stop-Loss is not a remedy and never would be. It's like a finger band-aid on something that clearly needs stitches. And we can all tell he may have a point in the way Congress makes moves on everything. Further more considering the dramatic attention and almost no where we're going on Financial Reform and possible Immigration Overhaul next month---DADT will need it's own several month time slot.

[IndianaGreen]

18. Obama doesn't have any LGBT friends

and his personal views on LGBTs ran counter to that of the inclusive Chicago church he attended for many years.

It shows that he is not personally comfortable with LGBTs.

[VMI Dem]

19. The "bitin' the hand that feeds them" crew is out in full force.

[QC]

21. That must have been on the most recent talking points memo,

given its sudden and widespread popularity.