Obama Disappoints Gays Again, Justice Department Defends DADT

Does anyone beside the butt-kissers at the Human Rights Campaign still believe that LGBT Americans have a "fierce advocate" in the White House?  Even though conservative newspapers are now calling for the repeal of "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," Obama's Justice Department is attempting to throw out a court case that shows the discriminatory nature of the military's anti-gay policy.  The lawsuit was filed by Log Cabin Republicans (a right-leaning LGBT organization) on behalf of Alexander Nicholson, a former Army Human Intelligence Collector, and an unnamed soldier known as 'John Doe' who currently serves in the Armed Forces and would be discharged if his identity was leaked.  This latest move by the Obama administration is sadly characteristic of the President's ambivalence toward equal rights for gays and lesbians.  (The White House has not once but twice defended the Clinton-era "Defense of Marriage Act" that prevents same-sex couples from receiving federal benefits.)

"I'm here with you in this fight!" Obama proclaimed to an admiring throng of activists at a recent HRC dinner (where full Equality wasn't on the menu).  Champagne flowed, the cheers were deafening.  Mere weeks pass, and once again we're being played for chumps by the presidential candidate who promised change.

From LCR:  In a move consistent with other contradictory behavior on LGBT issues, the Obama administration has directed its Justice Department to file an extraordinary motion to get Log Cabin Republicans' lawsuit against the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law thrown out of court, despite a federal judge's ruling that it can proceed.  The 11th-hour move for interlocutory appeal, which seeks to stay proceedings and block discovery, was surprisingly formulated at the same time that President Obama was reassuring LGBT activists that he still firmly opposes the 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell' law at the Human Rights Campaign's annual dinner.  (While we cheered, Obama's DOJ lawyers were busy plotting this maneuver.)

From Queerty:  The case was filed over four and a half years ago, and currently sits in the hands of Judge Virginia Phillips in the Central District Court of California (that's federal court). For its part, LCR, represented here by White & Case LLP, has been a vocal critic of Obama (which was to be expected because of his political party), but has joined most gay groups aside from HRC is pointing out Obama's failures to live up to promises made to the LBGT community.  Though here's the real frustration:  Judge Phillips already denied the Justice Department's attempt to dismiss the case.  But hey, it's par for the course when it comes to the White House and handing gay issues in the courts.  Obama's strategy?  Dismiss, dismiss, dismiss.

And if anyone tells you, "The President is duty-bound to defend the laws of the land," remind them that there are instances where the DOJ has refused to do just that.  Also, the Justice Department announced this week that it will not be enforcing federal laws concerning the use of medical marijuana.  Another double standard. 

Instead of signing an executive stop loss order that would halt the massive firings of dedicated gay soldiers (which could be accomplished with the stroke of a pen), Obama, for all this soothing words to the LGBT community, is turning his back on us by defending the very law he keeps promising to overturn.

Fool us once, Mr. President - shame on you.  Fool us twice, shame on us.  Fool us three times?

Comments

[knowledge]

This is disheartening to say the least, but we should be used to it by now, right? While the White House twiddles it's thumbs as if they're building up some huge case against an invisible foe. The only foe is all branches of government; it's them. As many gays and lesbians currenly serving in congress it's a shame that blatant discrimination is continually legislated and federally sanctioned. And they have the nerve to ask the rest of society to stop discriminating against gays and lesbians. The worlds most important employer and defender does so, and openly. Barney Frank, et al should be ashamed of themselves. It's my absolute hope that Obama repeals this monster, but as discrimination continues to exist (mostly among women in the military) we'll have to voice our disappointment and express our frustrtion. Get it repealed. Stop talking bout it, just do it.

[Philip]

I really feel like an idiot cuz after that first doj brief and some of my firends were starting to doubt Obama I told them they were crazy, that he was behind us a hundred percent and wasn't aware of what was going in the justice dept, blah blah blah. Now the laugh is on me. I've lost all trust in the man on glbt issues.

[CCCO]

For some strange reason I have no feelings of defeat when I find myself repeating this mantra: "The repeal of DADT is out of the hands of politicians and American society - it is now in the hands of every LGBT service member."

http://www.objector.org/NOV_11__2009.html

Imagine if every LGBT servicemember, on every ship, on every base, in every unit, came out on the same day. Only THEN would their Commander in Chief Obama be forced to act accordingly. Could they all get fired? Yes, it's possible, but not likely. President Reagan fired some 11,000 air traffic controllers who struck for better conditions in 1981 and thought they had collective power. They did not. But now? The best guess for numbers of LGBT in uniform has been in the tens of thousands. It's not likely the Commander in Chief would allow so many troops to be discharged THIS MOMENT IN HISTORY.

My esteemed colleague, the late Bayard Rustin (once also a board member of CCCO, Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors), was the main architect of Martin Luther King's 1963 march on Washington. Without going too far out on a limb I believe he would approve of what I'm about to say.

Every LGBT service member should, all together, Rosa Park their collective asses in the front seat of the HUMVEE. This is a civil rights issue, pure and simple. But it cannot be solved by marches, legislation, or promises alone. The tipping point is now. The window of opportunity will soon close.

Marc Liggin
CCCO board member

[Aggie, Fair Haven, Vt.]

My theory is that Rahm (the Obama Administration's Wormtongue) is telling Barack that this is an issue he has to put off till his second term in office. On the other hand, there are constituencies that he has, simply put, thrown under the bus, so that could be the case as well.