tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post5228698523150508737..comments2024-03-29T11:14:06.299+13:00Comments on AmeriNZ Blog: President Obama: It Gets BetterArthur Schenckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-71323087352693306052010-10-25T21:41:39.520+13:002010-10-25T21:41:39.520+13:00epilonious: I agree with you about DADT. I think t...<b>epilonious: </b>I agree with you about DADT. I think the appeal is appalling, and the administration made a mistake.<br /><br />The symbolism of the PSA, however, is another matter entirely, and that's really what I was saying.<br /><br /><b>Roger: </b>Yes, that's it exactly. I'll always give folks credit when they do the right thing (even conservatives, as I've already done), but that never absolves them from responsibility to <i>always</i> do better.Arthur Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-89225797486602400192010-10-24T00:29:22.829+13:002010-10-24T00:29:22.829+13:00Arthur - It's not unlike what you said about m...Arthur - It's not unlike what you said about male/female fiscal equality. <br />Congrats on the video, Mr. President; now do BETTER!Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-43148848999037015182010-10-23T15:11:34.124+13:002010-10-23T15:11:34.124+13:00A part of me agrees that it's awesome he did a...A part of me agrees that it's awesome he did a PSA. <br /><br />A larger part of me says "This man has the power to actually Make It Better... but he's dicking around" <br /><br />For what it's worth, one of the easiest ways to get out of Podunk USA and make your life (and teeth, and body, and mind) better is to join a branch of the US Military. And the gay folks who did just that most likely got to figure out what DADT was in the worst way possible.epilonioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532230027733099956noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-4164792810675645582010-10-23T02:37:54.756+13:002010-10-23T02:37:54.756+13:00See, the problem with Obama (and Clinton, BTW) is ...See, the problem with Obama (and Clinton, BTW) is that as President, they're all nuance. I DO get what he's trying to do. He DOES oppose DADT, has said so several times, and his administration's legal defense of it is a stall tactic until that report from DoD that will (I hope) say that there's no problem allowing gays in the military, so the decision comes FROM the military.<br /><br />I suppose what a lot of people would have preferred - and I suppose I'm among them - is what <a href="http://www.trumanlibrary.org/whistlestop/study_collections/desegregation/large/index.php?action=chronology" rel="nofollow">Truman did in racially integrating the military</a>, DESPITE the resistance of the military. He's the Commander-in-Chief, dammit; the military is SUPPOSED to ber in civilian control and not kowtowing to the military brass. He seems wimpy by comparison. And a LGBT youth seeing what appears to be the President speaking from both sides of the issue MIGHT be pretty confusing.Roger Owen Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05298172138307632062noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-65809136788095045392010-10-23T01:18:50.760+13:002010-10-23T01:18:50.760+13:00I don't necessarily disagree with you. But I s...I don't necessarily disagree with you. But I still say that to some vulnerable kid in Podunk, USA, who has no idea what DADT is, THIS could be a big deal. I can fight him on the other stuff another day, any day, but today I just want to save a young GLBT life.Arthur Schenckhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10568299067544221996noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-34249799.post-80360893612363352492010-10-23T00:04:23.981+13:002010-10-23T00:04:23.981+13:00He demanded a stay on lifting DADT because, as far...He demanded a stay on lifting DADT because, as far as I can tell, he didn't want the Log Cabin Republicans getting it done before he could. <br /><br />It was an asshole move, and I feel was a way to cover his butt... which he had been dragging on the issue.<br /><br />This doesn't make up for that. At least to me. It's about as impressive/helpful as Bill Clinton mentioning gays. I'll be more impressed when he actually does what he says he would do... and doesn't stand in the way of it.epilonioushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05532230027733099956noreply@blogger.com