Before getting into more fun topics like, I don't know...porn, I thought I'd start out with an interesting political tidbit. Obama's been in office for less than a week at this point - hell the paint's still drying - but there is one massive, glaring change that's already happened that hasn't been talked about that much. The White House website. I know the only thing I've seen in the news about the new site was that it switched over from Bush to Obama at noon on Inauguration day. I guess it's not dynamic enough to get much attention, but it was enough to pique my interest. So I thought I'd go dig around a bit and see what it was like. Not that I ever visited Bush's White House site - Purely for health reasons, mind you. Blood pressure couldn't take it - but this seemed like something new and fun to visit.
Check out http://www.whitehouse.gov/ and take a look at the first thing under The Agenda up top. Civil Rights. (OK, so it's arranged alphabetically, and "C"'s pretty early in the alphabet, but it's still first damn it!) In any case, with it's own set of agendas within Civil Rights is "Support for the LGBT Community". I knew I voted for this guy for a reason. It goes on to outline support for civil unions and federal rights, expanding adoption rights and hate crime statuses, denying a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, supporting AIDS prevention and so on. Whether or not you voted for him (Seriously, is there anyone who didn't? And no, it doesn't count if you didn't vote at all) that's pretty good. Especially when compared to the previous administration's White House site conveniently archived for our perusal at http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/. Deep breath before diving in people. Air's kind of toxic. And musty. In any case, notice the complete lack of interest in civil liberties. But hey, we already knew that. After all, civil liberty is just a breeding ground for Terrorism! Most glaringly, though for all the Bush administration's website acknowledged, we didn't even exist for 8 years.
So what does all this mean for the gay community? How the hell should I know? I'm not a social or political analyst. Though, let's face it, there's still plenty of bigoted congresspeople and state governments out there. And realistically, there's a lot on our new president's plate before we even get to any kind of rights. But it's there. It's support from up top that will hopefully some day make its way down to state and local governments, police and medical support and so on.
And yeah, I know that's not a picture of the White House. My research has led me to believe rainbows just don't like it. Maybe that'll change in the next few years. In the meantime, I say a giant phallic symbol penetrating a rainbow is just as good.
12 comments:
Great post. Checked out the site and it's awesome! Thank you Prsident Obama!
Bill Clinton had the same agenda...and we got nothing. I'm not going to hold my breath...the Democrats like to give us lip service...Obama's already mightily offended us chosing Rick Warren to give the invocation at his inaugural...and he hasn't appointed a gay person to any top jobs- a few token lower level, but where's the cabinet post?
It is going to take a long time for the government to adjust to this new change. For the gay community, this may be difficult as well. Let's face it, this is American government we are talking about. Racism is only really starting to come into force about now. Let's just hang tight, and hope things will turn out OK. We ordinary people cannot change anything, so we might as well try to make the most of it. But we must stick together, no matter what.
Take care
Ciao
Xx_RavsDesire_xX
Great article. I have to admit that it didn't occur to me to look at the White House website so I'm glad you brought it to my attention. It just goes to show - yet again - that I made the right choice in voting for Obama. Even my father, who always votes Republican (even in this last election) is warming to Obama. It's hard not to like someone who wants to make positive changes instead of telling us how badly our lives suck. FYI, Bush did acknowledge us to the extent that he wanted to prevent us from getting married.
I have to agree with the others. What stands out in my mind is what Obama said in the debates about not supporting gay marriage. Gay marriage, at least here in Cali, simply means we get the same state license as hetero couples. Prop 8 undid that but the court will over turn that soon. I voted for Obama but he is a centrist not a progressive Democrat. Still it is hopeful seeing civil rights at the top of the listy- something the Bush Crime Family didn't ever give a damn about. Good post!
I do have to agree that Obama is more of a centrist, but at the same time he's opposing constitutional ammendments banning marriage. Essentially he's telling the government to stay out of it, for now, at least. Let the churches battle it out for awhile, but in the meantime give us rights, and allow states who do want to give us marriages to do so. I see it as a step by step process, taking us in the right direction, at least. And its a step forward, instead of back like with Bush.
Let other people do the job the President could do in one swift move...??? Guess he doesn't have the back bone for that. There was a time when inter racial marriages were illegal and would have remained illegal for years if held to a vote. Consdiering he's the product of such a marriage, he'd have the balls to do something for justice, The fact that he's letting others fight the fight speaks volumes about him.
Is it possible that our new president will be bringing the white house into the new century? Already he is posting a weekly address on Youtube which is getting immense amount of views. I don't know how long this will continue but i like it. We have a president that is actually interested in being heard by the youth, speaking up for the people who's rights are being infringed on, and recovering our country from a near economic collapse. It's easier to get up each day knowing President Obama is in charge.
You're right, it does speak volumes. He's smart. The president doesn't have that kind of power. He knows congress wouldn't put something through even with a Democratic majority because there are many moderate Democrats from conservative states who wouldn't support marriage. And intteracial marriage illegality was struck down by the Supreme Court. The President had nothing to do with it. If a constitutional ammendment was put through blocking gay marriage, there would be no opportunity for the court system to do the same in this case. Something Obama opposes.
Wow,
Quite a nice blog. Loved reading it and the pics too.
Have a great week ahead.
Cheers from London.
Kaio
www.meltingduvets.blogspot.com
there is such a thing as an Executive order- Harry Truman used to put the first Civil Rights policy thru, no Congressional approval needed...he needs to do something for us, if not marriage, something to prove he gives a shit...I see no evidence
Right...the man's appointed 3 Republicans to his cabinet, which he claims is the truest representation of American...no gays, another politican telling us we don't exist.
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