This is, frankly, ridiculous:
SAN DIEGO — Attorneys for the Obama administration objected Thursday to a proposed worldwide injunction being considered by a California federal judge that would halt the military’s ban on openly gay troops.
Calling the possible move “untenable,” Department of Justice attorneys filed their objections in U.S. District Court in Riverside.
As Atrios remarked, “President Snowe has nothing to do with this.”
No, she does not.
This comes as John Aravosis is reporting that gay donations are WAY down this election cycle.
I can’t imagine why.
Thirty long years and the Democrats have seem to have done more to let the haters on BOTH sides of the aisle **** us over than to pay attention to our concerns. Gay donations and voter registrations should dry up altogether for the Reeps and the Dems. Time for them should put up or shut up.
Ed, I am not happy about this either, but, like it or not, in this country, the government is obligated to defend laws, even ones the current admin does not like at the time. The Dems have done what they REALISTICALY could, and please note, it has been the republicans who stopped the DADT repeal (plus two cowards from Arkansas). It was democrats who pushed hate crimes law, and most republicans fought it tooth and nail. HAve the dems been perfect? Hell no! But, the republicans use us as scape goats, and a way to raise money. I am not satisfied either, but, I am realistic enough to know who my friends, even imperfect ones, are. I used to be a republican. God forgive me. I know how they use us to stir up fear. Never seen that at a democratic party meeting or get together.
Evan, I can imagine why. Because some people expect what we deserve, now. I used to think this way. Then I grew up, and realized real world politics made this impossible. I got angry, and bitter, and then I realized two things 1) I was in the wrong party…being as I was a republican 2) the people in my new party going on and on about being ignored and treated as second class by the dems did not know much about the sausage factory that is government.
Lets see how happy the people who did not donate to the dems are when they lose. “THAT WILL TEACH ‘EM!” and a sense of self satisfaction wont be much concolation when the repubicans are in power, being as they are the party whose platform states its anti gay opinions. Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face!
Actually, Gene, the administration is not in fact obligated to defend laws that are challenged. Despite the constant repetition of this lie from the White House, it is still a lie. Other administrations have chosen not to defend laws they don’t agree with and this administration has chosen not to enforce certain marijuana and immigration statutes for example.
Further, there is no obligation to appeal a case that the government loses. Obama has chosen to direct his justice department to vigorously defend Don’t Ask Don’t Tell and Defense of Marriage Act to the hilt. There is no excuse for that.
You write about being realistic about politics. I think you made a realistic decision to leave the Republican party (although ironically it is Log Cabin Republicans who won this incredible victory against the Obama Administration on Don’t Ask Don’t Tell). However, you have missed an important lesson in politics along the way. You don’t reward people who stab you in the back.
Contributions to the Democratic National Committee and Democratic Senate Campaign Committees are going disproportionately to people like Blanche Lincoln (the dispicable Arkansas senator who I will be happy to see replaced by a Republican who can later be challenged by a real Democrat) and Ben Nelson, who has probably done more than Mitch McConnell to screw over Democrats in general and gays in particular.
So, I wouldn’t advocate dumping our Democratic allies, but I would strongly urge not a cent to the president or to the Democratic Party committees. That money will be diverted to our enemies. You want to contribute to a Democrat or Republican who really has you back? Do it directly. Let Nelson, Obama and Lincoln either earn our donations, or find their own money to help them screw us over.