Finally, clarity. For years, many civil libertarians have denounced President Barack Obama for his failure support same-sex marriage and over two years of opposing the claims of gay and lesbian soldiers in courts. He still refuses to recognize same-sex marriage but White House Spokesman Jay Carney has finally cleared up the confusion. This week Carney dismissed suggestions that the President’s position claiming to support gay rights but not supporting same-sex marriage is confusing. Carney insisted Obama has been “very clear that his position is evolving.”
Carney was refusing to answer the simple question of whether Obama supported same-sex marriage in 1996 on a questionnaire.
This Kerry-esque position only magnifies how politics and not principle are driving the President’s positions, yet again. What is clear is that the Administration continues to oppose arguments that sexual orientation should be treated like gender or race in protection from discrimination. The President continues to play Hamlet on the Potomac with the core civil liberties of gay and lesbian citizens. As on the President’s position on torture, these are fundamental matters of principle that demand an honest answer.
I can understand if the President has moral or philosophical objections to same-sex marriage — even if I disagree with them. However, this is a threshold question that is answered by one’s views of morality or philosophy. Clearly, that question should have been answered in the President’s mind years ago (as it appears to have been in 1996). It is the politics that remain unclear for the President. That much is quite clear.
Jonathan Turley
rafflaw, Congratulations on your goods news. You are right about Obama playing politics. He figures the republicans are all involved with some weird anti- gay pastor so he can get by with this. Romney is another case, though, as he previously was for gay marriage and now in order to pander to the base he has become just like the rest of them.
SwM,
Thanks for the tips … we have lots of time so will do as you suggest.
rafflaw,
Your news regarding your son is wonderful … what a marvelous way to welcome him home … please express my gratitude to him for his service
lotta,
I will have two in your honor!
Buddha,
You’d be lovin’ it up here so we must keep it in mind for the future. 🙂 Tex is doing very well and sends you his regards. I think we just might be able to handle a trip to Italy.
pete: “you forgot muslim. …. fox nation …. it’s kinda like going to a zoo, interesting to look at but unless you’re dr dolittle conversation is useless.”
🙂 Excellent observation.
Rafflaw, Great news about your son! Have a great time in Hawaii. When he gets back home is he staying? Is his tenure in the service over or is he on leave? If I may ask.
Rafflaw,
Yea, Good news! I hope your son, your wife, yourself, and all your family and friends have a wonderful celebration. Like so many, I am grateful for his service, rejoice in his return, and pray for peace.
raff,
I am very glad to hear your son is back safe and sound stateside.
That is truly wonderful news.
L K
you forgot muslim.
while looking through fox nation a few weeks back i saw where someone described obama as a muslim devil worshiper. i started to ask how he could be both but decided, why bother. it’s kinda like going to a zoo, interesting to look at but unless you’re dr dolittle conversation is useless.
FFLEO, I only wish our President had your integrity. Great statement.
Blouise, have fun, drive safely and have a cocktail for me while your settn’ by the river.
Mike S.,
I would like to echo MetoCowboy. Your response is spot on. Obama is just playing games with the political winds, but he may find out that the wind may bite him in the backside.
Blouise, have fun on your trip. I will be heading out in early July to visit my son in Hawaii. He just returned last week from Afghanistan and he is flying his mother and I out to see him and then he is flying back home with us! What a relief.
Former Fed,
I am glad to read of your comments concerning the civil rights of gay people. Buddha was correct in his assessment and I agree that we don’t always agree, but you are my kind of guy!
Blouise,
I’m glad you and Tex are having a good time. I’d say have some fun for us here at the blog, but it sounds like you are and then some. Like you having fun is shocking news. 🙄
You will probably be taking the Baltimore Pike to get there. If you turn south on the pike before you get to the blue route(hwy 476), you will reach Swarthmore College. The campus is an arboretum with many examples of Quaker architecture.There is also a branch of Jim’s Steaks on the Pike if you like the Philly cheese steaks. There are many good restaurants along the way in Media.
SwM,
Making an early night of it … Olbermann is a huge favorite around here. Turned a bunch of people onto the blog and they’re lovin’ it which is creating some great discussions around the dinner party and patio party tables. If I start sounding smarter … don’t be fooled … I’m just stealing from others
Next week it’s off to Chadds Ford and the Brandywine. Hit this link as it is a perfect view of what I will be enjoying from a bench behind the museum:
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ESC4bygtp2M/RyHlrvHE-UI/AAAAAAAAB0Y/FPpndkVhdGM/s1600-h/Brandywine+River.JPG
(Good god … I do hate golf … )
FFLEO: Cool beans!
FFLEO,
Very well said. That last post was a perfect example of why I think you’re a great traditional “Eisenhower” conservative and why I consider you such a valuable contributor here. We may not agree on every topic, but that is fine with me for no other reason than you are the very definition of “honorable opposition” and clearly a man who values equity, justice and liberty.
As I have previously stated, I am opposed to same-sex marriage. However, after reflecting on the issue—and especially since reading this blawg for several years and observing the intelligence, legal expertise, and courage of one Glenn Greenwald—the following is what I would say if I were president.
_________________
While I am philosophically and morally opposed to same-sex marriage, I will lend my support to—and take whatever federal actions are necessary to allow for—what must be considered a principal civil right. How can I refuse civil liberties to a large number of our populace who contribute in a vast number of ways to our economy and society thorough their tax contributions and services rendered within all levels of commerce, education, law enforcement, all branches of state and federal government, healthcare, and the military?
My moral objection to same-sex marriage is markedly trumped by the moral foundation that fundamental fairness and full civil liberty must be afforded to each U.S. citizen equally and devoid of any prejudicial hindrances.
My philosophical objection is overridden since no persons’ lives should suffer because of my personal biases, especially when it is clear to me that homosexuality is an innate biological trait and not some aberrant lifestyle choice that is interchangeable on a whim.
I will most likely never change my moral and/or philosophical bearing regarding this issue; however, I can no longer deny those liberties guaranteed to each American within the principles of our constitutional republic.
Blouise, The alter egos are not very alter.
X2 what Mike S. said.
BVM
Is Obama Gay?
“Washington Insider: Obama Member of Chicago Gay Man’s Club”
————-
So, he’s a Marxist, socialist, an illegal alien, hates white people, is gay and black- OMG. Do you not have any comprehension that you have universally aligned yourself with the most ignorant and vile segment of the political spectrum.
Have you no shame? Srsly, I have dark thoughts that I, white-knuckled, restrain myself from posting because though my emotions would be momentarily gratified, my thinking self would wither under the burden of shame I would feel later. I think that’s normal. But you? You just jump right out there with your pre-conscious notions. Have you and yours no shame?
Mike Spindell hit the nail right on the head with his assessment of the situation….bingo!