As a few of you know, I'm a black dude originally from NC. Some family members from back home have already sent email informing me that they're going to sit out the general election. They contributed to the record primary election turnout yesterday in support of what the local news media called NC's "Prop One".
I admire this President more than ever after his calculated public display of "nads". But, it comes at a cost, perhaps a couple of key swing states.
I suspect that NC, VA, SC, GA, PA, and OH will be major players come Nov. I'm not certain that the indies in those states will neutralize defectors from his AfAm evangelical base that is struggling internally with the issue still, though I dare not attempt to write on behalf of the group.
I'll toss the Obama/Biden re-election campaign a few coins now. Right now I'm wishing Justice Kennedy good health because the electoral vote gap between Romney and Obama just narrowed to the point that I'm bracing myself for the sequel to Bush v Gore.
In my mind and heart, the administration got this one right. Who woulda thunk it?
I have no idea why Yawper would send me a PM, unless someone's just trying to be a dick. Oh, never mind.
But to your point - wait, what is the point? I said Yeah, I'm reconsidering my bitchiness about it, because I realize this IS a big deal. At least homobigots will have to stop saying "But I take the same position of same-sex marriage as President Obama."
And then Yawper sourpussed I have a hard time picturing anyone actually saying this. And then I posted a link to homobigots actually saying it.
See, that's the difference between mere words and the ability to take action, PJ. Unless you're a power-holding moderator you can't *allow* or *disallow* me from saying anything - just like legislators can't allow or disallow the Pres from saying whatever he wants within legal bounds. You do remember that it isn't the President who makes law, right?
Having watched Cory Booker last night on Rachel's show and his passionate speech (January 2012) regarding equality for all, just makes me love, love, LOVE him!
Rush Limbaugh is outraged over Obama's support for marriage equality! He has declared a war on marriage.
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
Some people are only impressed by being unimpressed.
I can think of at least four around here who pretty much define themselves by being unimpressed by anything considered impressive. I assume they can only have sex with masochists.
"What can you expect from a bunch of seitan worshippers?" - Reginald Tresilian
This AP article on the worldwide significance of Obama's announcement makes some interesting points about the challenges the president's declaration presents for anti-gay politicians world wide, particularly in conservative Catholic and Muslim countries.
The quote from the Jamaican minister and government official shows what impact this has: homophobes who have loved Obama all along must now take his opinion on gay marriage seriously, even if it goes against their religious and cultural suppositions.
He has inserted the element of doubt into their firmly held prejudices. That is how change begins.
"I think the Supreme Court's ruling on the health care mandate is far more important to Obama's re-election than his support of gay marriage."
Taz,
I don't like discounting anyone but the folks down in NC who came out in full force in support of Amendment One do NOT understand the implications of what they've done nor the impact of a repeal of the health care mandate.
Some of the very ones who supported Obama in the Dem primaries only to see him flip flop on the issue of health care mandate once elected are completely repulsed by same-sex marriage and have their "God" on their sides.
Their "God" will permit a health care mandate but there is no way under the sun that he'll allow same-sex marriage to take hold of their nation.
To them, Obama's bold statement precipitates the coming of the End Times.
Not trying to be a Debbie Downer but encourage everyone, especially Libertarians, to contribute to and support Obama/Biden's re-election campaign.
Romney is probably the only Republican contender in recent memory that I've ever thought of supporting but he's simply in the wrong party and his prospects for a running mate shake me to my core.
Just think of a Romney-McDonnell administration with Michele Bachmann as Sec of Health & Human Services, ordained by the ghost of Jerry Falwell.
'There are three sides to every story. My side, your side, and the truth. And no one is lying. Memories shared serve each one differently'
-Robert Evans-
"[I]f you understood that commonsense conservative values supports the right of individuals like you, like all of us, to live our lives with less government interference and more independence, you would embrace us faster than KD Lang at an Indigo Girls concert." -Bristol Palin, 2010