Politicub
Politicub's JournalI hope the new Pope surprises us
That's the nicest thing I can think of saying.
As a married gay man whose community was in the previous Pope's crosshairs, forgive me for being annoyed by the outpouring of ecstasy about this man who has said some pretty awful things.
But perhaps this leopard will change his spots. Millions of Americans have changed their attitudes about gay rights, but I have little hope that the institutional homophobia of the Catholic Church will change any time soon.
I would love to have to eat my words. Truly.
There are many good Catholic DUers and dems. If change does happen, it will be incited by people like them.
How I feel about President Obama
I wrote the note below as a reply in a General Discussions post here http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1102&pid=8094
I didn't intend for it to go the direction it did, but I wanted to share it with all of you. I've been waxing philosophical these days.
Here 'goes:
I believe America is fortunate to have President Obama, and I am in awe of how he is infusing a sense of progressive purpose. I would love to be back at college just to hear thoughtful discussions about the moment we are living in (thank goodness for DU).
And I don't have words to describe how I feel about lgbt liberation. The moment is here and I am living through it. Just wow as a man who was born in the 70's, grew up in the 80's and cast my first vote in the Clinton v. Bush election. I am married to my soulmate, who I have been with for 17 years. We're going to celebrate our third anniversary this year.
We've come so far as a society - despite historic proportions of republican obstruction.
Obama has given me an understanding the American dream; how I raised myself out of poverty because a ladder out of the small town where I grew up was extended for me to climb. Ladders are important and never forgotten.
Fuck the GOP over this pro forma bullshit
Does everyone need to be reminded that the GOP stole the election in 2000?
Our country was set on a collision course from which we may never fully recover.
So cry me a river over this perfectly legal recess appointment. There is no crisis. Don't fall for the sensationalist claptrap that repukes are peddling.
Stiffen your upper lip, shut down the concern trolls, and defend our president instead of handwringing.
Appreciation thread for the men and women at Stonewall who said "Enough."
Today millions of Americans are hearing about the Stonewall riots for the first time, and every mainstream media outlet in the country is covering it.
A grateful THANK YOU to all of the people who fought back in Greenwich Village in 1969. And also a solemn regret that many of them aren't alive today to see how they changed the world.
The most important political speech of my generation
I've been reading editorials about the inauguration all day. It's what I do after each of Obama's big speeches or when something is going on in the news that grips the nation.
I couldn't have realized it at the time, but Obama, perhaps more articulately and succinctly than anyone I've ever heard, connected our tradition of progressive liberalism to the politics of our time. He talked about an active, modern liberalism suited to solve the greatest problems our country faces.
And as a gay man, words can not capture the emotion that I felt when he included Stonewall as the flash point for the modern gay rights movement. To have our national leader mention it in the same breath as Seneca Falls and Selma takes away any doubt about his commitment to freedom and equality for all people.
Not only did the speech make history today, it set the tone for how the administration is going to pursue its agenda over the next four years.
While the congress will continue to have gridlock, it won't stop the executive from going about the job of governing. Setting policies that take into account our common struggle. Leaving no question that GLBT Americans deserve their full measure of equality as our birthright.
And sentiments about the importance of the speech and how it didn't mince words dominate the coverage. America is getting to hear about Stonewall. It may pique the curiosity of schoolchildren to read more about the GLBT liberation movement. Over time, textbooks will begin to include our story.
And don't forget - today is the first day of his second term. We're just getting started. And the transformation of his political operation to Organizing for Action is being led by steady hands and will be as important, or more important, than legislation for bringing about change to our country.
I'm optimistic about the next four years. I think about my nieces and nephews and how they are the Obama generation.
We have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us, and we continue the struggle, but now with the wind behind our back.
Is there a live stream from MSNBC available for the inauguration?
I cut the cable cord last month, but would like to see how MSNBC covers the event - Rachael, Chris, Ed, Al.
Since I cut my cable, MSNBC is really the only channel I miss.
What do you think people are doing with all of the assault weapons and ammunition
that people are buying now or have on layaway at Walmart?
Do you mount your pretty guns on the wall and invite the neighbors over to have a gun christening party?
Do you throw them in a closet or under the bed and feel somehow better with yourself? Talk to it at night if you're feeling lonely.
Maybe people cuddle up to their gun in bed like it's a body pillow. Mmmmmmm that's nice.
Do multiple assault weapons owners take them out sometimes, line them up against the wall and give each one a name like a cold steel Von Trapp family? Friederich, Louisa and Gretl?
Sit in a corner surrounded by a fort made of high capacity magazines and wait for a black helicopter to appear?
And all of that ammo. Mercy. Must take up a lot of space. Just don't smoke around it.
To the 2nd amendment extremists - you have the blood of children on your hands
Fucking enough - to defend unlimited gun rights today reveals you as the bottom dwellers that you are. You are part of the problem. You are the enablers.
Your absolutism kills. Your patron the NRA is an accomplice to these shootings.
Your unyielding opposition sounds like a cheer as the bodies are being dragged out of the school. They are merely sacrifices to your second amendment god. Collateral damage so you can stroke and coo at your precious gun.
Mods - there are many angry people today with just cause. I humbly suggest that you declare a moratorium on gun rights extremists today and ban those who only join DU to antagonize us during this period of heightened emotion.
I'm feeling a lot of hope and cautious optimism tonight about marriage equality
America has a lot of faults, but our founding documents have something within them that enables marginalized and disenfranchised Americans to eventually secure their liberty. The time it takes is too long, and the struggle is too painful, but I believe Dr. King and what he said about the arc of history. Our president is proof.
And now may be gay liberation's time, when we can fully lay claim to our birthright as Americans. We shall see if the tipping point has arrived next June, which is just about seven months from now.
This is the true American dream, and those who have struggled and overcame nearly impossible odds fill me with hope.
The founding fathers couldn't have conceived the idea of a gay rights movement. But they gave America the machinery for those who are motivated to secure freedom and keep it.
By the people and for the people - it means something.
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