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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsReport: Obama To Meet With LGBT Rights Groups In Russia
President Barack Obama is set to meet with Russian LGBT rights groups as well as several other Russian human rights activists at this week's G20 summit in St. Petersburg, BuzzFeed reported Monday.
Obama cancelled a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in August amid tension over the country's offer of asylum to NSA leaker Edward Snowden. The news of Obama's planned meeting with Russian LGBT activists is likely to be viewed as a jab at Putin, who signed an anti-gay law earlier this year.
From BuzzFeed:
Four Russian non-governmental organizations told BuzzFeed Monday they had been invited to the meeting, scheduled for this Thursday at St. Petersburgs Crowne Plaza Hotel. The groups include veteran human rights activists Lev Ponomarev and Lyudmila Alexeyeva, legal aid NGO director Pavel Chikov, and Coming Out, a St. Petersburg-based LGBT organization. Another local LGBT group, the LGBT Network, is believed to be attending, though director Igor Kochetkov declined to comment to BuzzFeed, saying that he had been asked not to say anything.
http://livewire.talkingpointsmemo.com/entry/obama-to-poke-putin-in-ribs-meet-with
DURHAM D
(32,611 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)pnwmom
(108,994 posts)No other President has met with foreign LGBT leaders.
Just not why I think he's doing it. He shouldn't use groups for political reasons. A conclusion I draw based on his past history and his pique at all things Putin right now -- which is for Syrian and Snowden support, for starters.
And I'm getting fed up with these games being played by grown men where people have to die because they can't find a way to sit down and talk.
Who the hell are we to punish anyone?
- Why is gassing babies worse and less moral, than droning them to death?
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)....can barely be aimed at anything. They had no guidance systems. They're crude slapped together pieces of crap and whizz and made all kinds of noise when flying.
Here's more.
Not something you'd expect to see a real military depend upon as a weapon, but maybe a provisional army that has no infrastructure and is fighting a war on the fly. Not to mention the UK selling the rebels potassium and sodium fluoride as far back as 10 months ago, which can be used to make nerve gas.
And lastly, I don't believe a goddamned word that came out of John Kerry's mouth. Or anyone in the government for that matter. They have LIED before and they're LYING now. They want a war because they've been told to provide one.
- If they they do it, heads will roll. And if they don't do it, other heads will roll.....
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)dropped the stuff from above them.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)I hate ALL war.
And I hate Predator Drones, the weapon of the silent cowards.
I also think that we shouldn't be the world's largest arms supplier, but we are.
So it is we who cause most of the deaths in wars simply by providing the most weapons.
But even that is not the point.
Syria should be dealt with BY. THE. WORLD.
- It is not Barack Obama's job to punish anyone. It's not listed in the Constitution as one of his powers either.....
pnwmom
(108,994 posts)is worse than the way we have used drones?
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)...purposely dropping them on weddings?
- Or funerals?
Like these children here?:
[center]
[/center]
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)The groups that RT promotes claim the fucked up laws are good for gays. So I'm hoping he hears from more than just the front groups for the status quo....
Daniel537
(1,560 posts)since they seem to love rallying behind that thug and bashing Obama when it comes to Syria.
Bluenorthwest
(45,319 posts)Sad for posters of your agenda that there is no more Meta.
Daniel537
(1,560 posts)and unfortunately across much of the left that buys into the crap being fed to the world by RT, Alex Jones and other sources from the gutter. That type of garbage needs to be called out.
madinmaryland
(64,933 posts)That's was one of the best back-handed support comments I have seen of someone in a long time (I think the last was cboy4! in the sports forum)
pangaia
(24,324 posts)bluestate10
(10,942 posts)Putin. Regardless of how good this President is or how much he as accomplished against tough odds, some on DU refuse to give him credit for anything.
joshcryer
(62,276 posts)Particularly when it involved this subject.
I expect this will just fly under the radar though.
The Putin Pumpers know when to keep their mouth out of it because it'll piss off a large chunk of the progressive community if they come to his aid.
Cha
(297,655 posts)to bash Pres Obama and praise Putin. Go RT.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)The Russian Spy and his mouthpiece from Brazil.
crazy people
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)Sand Wind
(1,573 posts)Tarheel_Dem
(31,240 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)You don't know jack, my friend, hate to say it.
Whether I agree with your opinions, whatever they may be, or not, I do my best to use my head with what information I can get. So don't call me a phony liberal.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Do you think Obama will meet with LGBT activists in Saudi Arabia?
Hissyspit
(45,788 posts)Divine Discontent
(21,056 posts)and I like this move of his, nonetheless, but you ask a good question.
ctsnowman
(1,903 posts)Sand Wind
(1,573 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)And believe it or not.....some of us leftwing liberals do like Obama.
Do we agree with him on every issue? No. But we do realize how much he has done for this country and the political realities he has to deal with.
SkyDaddy7
(6,045 posts)It amazes me that "Liberals" would ever take the side of ruthless blood thirsty dictators...But one does see this sort of thing here on DU. SAD!!
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)polichick
(37,152 posts)Everything is political.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)Maybe then you could finally get some help.
polichick
(37,152 posts)Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)C'mon now. Your hatred for Obama and the Syrian people should be strong enough to come up with a better retort than just 'fuck you'.
You can do it!
polichick
(37,152 posts)Response to polichick (Reply #14)
Post removed
polichick
(37,152 posts)I almost feel sorry for you - but not quite.
Drunken Irishman
(34,857 posts)I bet you have a poster of Assad with hearts on it above your bed.
polichick
(37,152 posts)but you'd do better to learn how to comprehend what others actually post.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)You need a nap. Now.
treestar
(82,383 posts)About Obama supporters.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)NealK
(1,879 posts)hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)bluestate10
(10,942 posts)for them, hate is something they understand. Gene Robinson is iconic as a gay person and a barrier breaker. The boldness that Robinson showed when his entire future could have been taken away from him stands to this day as an outstanding example of bravery. The haters only saw the President Obama invited Warren, they ignored that a person, Robinson, of much larger statue was also invited.
Link Speed
(650 posts)Anyone who thinks that Obama reflexively jumped up and said, "Hey, let's meet up with some gay folks!" is woefully naive.
This kind of thing is planned to the second. The entrances are rehearsed to the inch.
It's all political.
This isn't about propping up the Russian gay community, but currying votes from ours.
ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Anyone who thinks that Obama reflexively jumped up and said, 'Hey, let's meet up with some gay folks!' is woefully naive."
Speaking of "woefully naive," I remember the doubters (including bloggers) making the rounds on TV the day before DADT was repealed. They were gleefully claiming that the President's efforts were going to fail because he didn't have to courage to stand up to the military, and the he really didn't want it.
Turns out he's the President who has done more for the LGBT community than any other, and that's not simply lip service.
Thanks, Obama >> updated, Edith Windsor reacts
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023101179
Still, it's not clear the point you're trying to make. I mean, it appears you're implying this is political, but it's still his call.
Link Speed
(650 posts)Millions of votes were in sway.
It's all political, all of it. That's just the way it is.
Madame Pritzger, anyone?
Tarheel_Dem
(31,240 posts)post on sites like DU. In the real world, some people still have integrity, and I believe the POTUS is one of 'em.
Link Speed
(650 posts)My family is neck-deep in Southern politics - both sides. I have pretty much given up on all hope for integrity in the process.
That's why I moved to Wine Country in order to get away from it all.
creeksneakers2
(7,476 posts)Why would Obama be for a strike on Syria?
when? Not with GOPers and Libertarians in control. Political or not, it was still the right thing to do.
Pres O is meeting with the LGBT in Russia and of course without fail the contempt trickles in.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)So, what is your point? President Obama worked to bring a resistant military leadership along until they became advocates for change. You are so sure that DADT would be repealed, I am not sure that would have happened if not for the effort put in by our President, that is a FACT.
NealK
(1,879 posts)Oh, that's right, the supreme court.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023469577#post38
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)United States of America, Constitution huh. At the same time they EFF VRA of 1965, Sections 4 & 5.
NealK
(1,879 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)"Please remind me who effectively repealed DOMA. Oh, that's right, the supreme court."
...snip from the link I provided:
by kirbybruno
This >>>>>
Obama administration will no longer defend DOMA
and this >>>>>>
Obama Chooses Sotomayor for Supreme Court Nominee
and this >>>>>>
President Obama Nominates Elena Kagan for Supreme Court
has led to this >>>>>
Supreme Court strikes down Defense of Marriage Act.
Thanks Obama!
<...>
Besides, Edith Windsor's opinion is more relevant on this issue.
NealK
(1,879 posts)treestar
(82,383 posts)NealK
(1,879 posts)And I thought that he wasn't a dictator!
treestar
(82,383 posts)No, he's not a dictator. You mean he gets credit for nothing unless he is? The only person behind it? That's what you're saying, in effect.
NealK
(1,879 posts)And I thought that being a liberal was a bad thing, silly me. Are they all Liberals in the SCOTUS? Because the last time I checked they were not. Also isn't there a little thing about separated Government branches? You know, check and balance and all that stuff. Did Obama ordered the SCOTUS to do what they did? I fail to see why he would deserve any credit about the death of DOMA. Now go back to that silly site and ask the puppet master with 3 accounts on DU what to say next.
treestar
(82,383 posts)when it suits.
If it weren't for those two liberal justices, it could have turned out very differently.
I should alert on your last but your partisans have taken over the board and it probably won't work.
NealK
(1,879 posts)I have partisans?
treestar
(82,383 posts)polichick
(37,152 posts)He sure wasn't quick about "evolving" when it came to gay marriage - waited until it was politically safe.
treestar
(82,383 posts)What if the conservatives eventually evolve? It will be too late? One should always be glad to have convinced someone, rather than dwell on how they used to disagree. Isn't it the goal to get the vast majority converted?
polichick
(37,152 posts)to stick it to Putin.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Putin signed the law, so he's not embarrassed by it. He signed the law, so aren't we for sticking it to him? Since I'm a homophobe for not caring that Warren gave a prayer at the President's First Inauguration, then surely Putin is for signing that law? Doesn't he deserve it? How can any gay rights advocate possibly be suffering from ODS so badly they don't like him sticking it to a leader of another country who is responsible for a law like that?
polichick
(37,152 posts)...someone who doesn't wait until it's politically safe to evolve on an issue, someone who might meet with the lgbt community because it's an issue he/she really cares about, not because it might stick it to Putin.
But that's just me.
treestar
(82,383 posts)It's hilarious that you are more in his corner on a gay rights issue.
Putin hasn't evolved very far at all.
polichick
(37,152 posts)You missed my point completely.
Cha
(297,655 posts)cancelled his meeting with Putin. Their stance on Human Rights that hacker/tool snowden praised so highly.
"These nations, including Russia, Venezuela, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Ecuador have my gratitude and respect for being the first to stand against human rights violations."
http://wikileaks.org/Statement-by-Edward-Snowden-to.html
Putin will be pissed.
alp227
(32,052 posts)does he mean "MY rights" when talking about human rights?
and he'll likely soon be crying about how few he has, considering where he is
Tarheel_Dem
(31,240 posts)Cha
(297,655 posts)http://www.democraticunderground.com/110214894
Tarheel_Dem
(31,240 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)DevonRex
(22,541 posts)I'm afraid things will only get worse over there after Sochi.
Rebellious Republican
(5,029 posts)No different from anyone else seeking political asylum.
treestar
(82,383 posts)Gay people from many repressive countries seek asylum in the US
http://immigrationequality.org/issues/asylum/seeking-asylum/
sheshe2
(83,898 posts)William769
(55,147 posts)Politicub
(12,165 posts)And highly symbolic that Obama is meeting with LGBT rights groups instead of Putin.
It's great having an LGBT advocate in the whitehouse!
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)"This is silly tit4tat like 3rd Graders."
Do you think the groups that are going to meet with him share your opinion?
Response to ProSense (Reply #33)
Post removed
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Don't ya'know politicians are nothing but BIG babies.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)...until he realized he needed them to get reelected. I haven't forgotten the 2008 campaign even if others have.
I'm against people being used for political purposes.
I'm against violations of the Constitution like those that Edward Snowden exposed and which is the only reason he's meeting with these groups.
Like I said up-thread, it's a tit4tat BS game like a child would play.
- It is high time we put away childish things and grew the hell up!
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Besides LGBT people in Russia need our support and our president meeting them is a huge show of solidarity.
This is not a game.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)Particularly considering his overall track record when it comes to human rights isn't all that good. Droning mommies and babies loses him a lot of points.
But I am no one's judge either. Not Obama's. Not Putin's. I'll leave the judging to others. I just call things like I see them.
From all appearances in the way this has unfolded, Obama appears to be wanting to meet with LGBT groups because of his pique with Putin for sheltering Snowden and supporting Syria.
- Yeah, I'll applaud the support. But I won't make nice noises about how great a guy his is for doing it when I suspect its just one more of his political ploys.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)That said, there are political realities we all have to deal with if we want to bring about positive change. When he first ran this country still had not come around on gay marriage and supporting it then would have put his candidacy at risk. His actions as president, however, have always been for in support of equal rights.
If you want to be cynical about it, the only politics he played was when he pretended to oppose it to get elected originally. It goes back to Henry Clay. Would you, like Clay, rather be right and ineffective? Or would you rather be president so that you can actually bring about the change you claim to support?
I personally side with getting things done.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)That's what I was talking about.
As I said up-thread, I can't judge Obama.
Not my job.
I call them like I recall them, and that's what I did here.
- I'm sure otherwise he's a nice guy.
LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)He hadn't played politics and risked a President McCain? A man who not only is opposed to gay marriage but opposed revoking DADT and has a long record of such support?
I believe you when you say you call them as you recall them, so what has the president's record been on LGBTQ rights? Not his words, his actions as a whole? Based on that I feel we should assume he is being sincere here.
I don't like the tit4tac either, I would like it alot better if it didn't exist. But that is the reality of the world we live in and if it promotes equal rights I will play this sick game to the bitter end.
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)...in fact the whole election was staged to pose that very question. That's how Obama got elected, fear of McCain and the Alaskan hillbilly.
No, I've concluded that it wouldn't have mattered. McCain would've have been stupider and less eloquent in his speeches, but others (MIC) make the big decisions in this country. Not Presidents.
- They don't have the clearance......
totodeinhere
(13,059 posts)put them on ice while President Obama is in Russia. It would be a very easy way to avoid embarrassment over this issue.
Iliyah
(25,111 posts)Russia's control is much more stringent than our (for right now) when it comes to the media - print, air and internet.
Spitfire of ATJ
(32,723 posts)MotherPetrie
(3,145 posts)Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Apparently Obama meeting with LGBT activists in Russia is a bad thing for some folks.
LMAO.
Gawd I love this place....it provides me with nonstop comedy.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)disgusting law is pretty overwhelming.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Our "allies" are imprisoning and executing homosexuals, while we sell them weapons. Will Obama meet with LGBT activists in Saudi Arabia also?
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)What are their names?
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Nice try. It was a cute effort.
When will Obama speak out against human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia? At the very least shouldn't there be a moratorium on selling them arms while they kill, imprison and use corporal punishment on homosexuals?
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)You're the one who mentioned Obama meeting with these activists in Saudi Arabia.
I didn't think they existed.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Are you one of those who think that gays don't exist in certain countries? That's very Ahmadinejad of you.
Maybe you don't hear much about them because the state run media doesn't let much news out. Maybe you don't hear very much because those who speak out or those who are caught "promoting" homosexuality are sentenced to years in prison or thousands of lashes, or death. Your ignorance on the subject (willful or not) speaks volumes.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Do LGBT orgs exist in Saudi Arabia?
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Quit playing ignorant. Where is your compassion for LGBT people in Saudi Arabia? Quit using LGBT people as pawns in your own politics. You either support LGBT people everywhere, or you don't support them at all.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Why don't you just come out and say so instead of beating around the bush, buddy?
So Obama is supposed to meet with non-existent LGBT organizations in Saudi Arabia?
How exactly does that work?
Funny.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)They exist in secrecy afraid of the government America helps prop up. Wherever we LGBT exist, we exist in communities. Unfortunately (and unbeknownst to you apparently) we don't always get to exist in the open. Thanks for your phony outrage though.
Are you ok with the United States selling arms to Saudi Arabia or is that another thing your afraid to criticize Obama on?
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Well then what are their names?
So you want Obama to meet with non-named, non-existent LGBT orgs in Saudi Arabia?
I'm still trying to figure out how that is supposed to work. You got me scratching my head over here.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)Instead of meeting with LGBT people in Saudi Arabia Obama could stop the sell of arms to the government that persecutes them. Obama could speak out against the human rights abuses there instead of praising Saudi Arabia's leaders. Maybe this would give said groups courage to come forward. I lowered the bar for you, you're welcome.
I'll give you one more shot to answer this question.
Do you think we should arm dictatorships that persecute homosexuals? And do you think the Obama administration was in the wrong by selling them cluster bombs?
Don't be a coward, answer it.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Now it's about selling cluster bombs to Saudi Arabia?
You're all over the place.
Obama sits down with LGBT rights groups in Russia and you complain he doesn't meet non existent rights groups in Saudi Arabia.
Obama could cure cancer and you'll complain he hasn't cured AIDS.
So predictable.
revmclaren
(2,529 posts)"Obama must meet with nonexistent leaders of nonexistent groups because it is important, Damn it!" I would like to see the names of these 'groups' too but I'm afraid that they are just a convenient figment. The B$%^%hit is strong on these posts lately!
LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)Iliyah
(25,111 posts)its probably a secret. Arab countries are extremely serious about "not liking" guys.
Anyways, Pres O is meeting with the LGBT in Russia while he's there for the G something.
But alas a few will always find something to criticize him for regardless. LOL
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)community in Russia, for whatever the motive, is good for those who suffer the
consequences of their new law.
ForgoTheConsequence
(4,869 posts)I would just like to see some consistency. Hateful laws are always bad, even when they are instituted by our "allies". Obama and the US as a whole have been very soft on human rights abuses in Saudi Arabia. We shouldn't sell arms to theocratic states and dictators.
Arming a state like Saudi Arabia which has systematically persecuted women, gays and religious minorities is immoral.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)But of course, you're quite right, we should be using many levels of diplomacy to aid
all human rights.
Vanje
(9,766 posts)Crimson76
(79 posts)On LGBT rights, a day late and a dollar short.
But hey, welcome to DU!
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Crimson76
(79 posts)I just believe he is sticking it in the nose of Putin.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)LostOne4Ever
(9,290 posts)Say otherwise. Further, since equal rights are far from achieved I would not say hes late either. I will accept any ally at any time if it will help promote equal rights in any way.
But regardless, Welcome to DU!
Cha
(297,655 posts)President Obama's record on GLBT.
Cha
(297,655 posts)Response to ProSense (Original post)
another_liberal This message was self-deleted by its author.
JI7
(89,264 posts)some of the comments to this are a fucking joke. you can't take certain people seriously anymore .
Cha
(297,655 posts)the fuck knew.. some of DU would devolve into protecting and praising Putin like Snowden did.. oh wait! rofl
ecstatic
(32,731 posts)Instead of trying to read (and control) President Obama's private thoughts and motives, why not just acknowledge that this meeting is a good thing? Full stop. ODS indeed. smmfh
at their collective ODS. rofl
NYC Liberal
(20,136 posts)to do all sorts of gymnastics to find reasons to criticize him even when he does something they would normally support. Even when he does the right thing, it's not good enough for them because they'll claim he's doing it for the wrong reasons (not that there's ever any proof of ulterior motives).
I applaud this move.
Cha
(297,655 posts)him or his motives.
I haven't read this thread since I posted this morning but seeing the names at a glance I can imagine. So tired and predictable.
It's a win win situation for them.. they get to whine either way.
NYC
freshwest
(53,661 posts)SunSeeker
(51,698 posts)countmyvote4real
(4,023 posts)This effort is totally cancelled out and offset by Obama's desire to bomb Syria.
upi402
(16,854 posts)Make us proud.