Disturbing editorial from Eleanor Clift re: Mass. Decision

[SickOfSpin]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3672153

I'm speechless with the callousness and lack of understanding. Civil rights for gays will never be achieved if we are forced to wait for the "enlightenment" of US society. Sorry, this is unacceptable.

The "Sister Souljah" parallels were so off the mark and offensive that I don't even know where to begin.

I feel more sadness and despair reading things like this than from hearing the outright hatred of the overt bigots and homophobes - at least they're upfront.

Edit:sp

[Praline]

1. I think I know what you mean.

It starts with a kind of wind being knocked out of you; then you feel a bit nauseated; then a flood of shame trickles down sort of like, is there really something so wrong with me? I get that as a Jew every time I visit I/P.

[HFishbine]

2. Spoken like a ture myopic political hack

"...the judges' decision plays into the country's cultural war and energizes evangelical Christians and Catholic traditionalists, the foot soldiers of the GOP."

Judges decisions are not "plays" in cultural battles. They are to protect the rights enumerated in the Constitution. Thank God when the courts do it right.

[Skittles]

3. sorry, I realize gay marriage is a "real issue" for gays

and I support equal rights for gays 100%. But Ms. Clift is right on the mark when she says the timing couldn't be better for republicans. They will effectively use this issue to overshadow EVERYTHING ELSE. And in the past this divide and conquer method has been very effective. Will it work this time? Maybe. Is such strategy offensive? Absolutely. But you cannot fault Ms. Clift for pointing it out? I don't think so.

[Simeon Salus]

4. I think Eleanor is dead right

Gay Marriage is bait designed to draw a predictable visceral response from the left, and so antagonize the reactive conservative base. The argument itself is a false dilemna.

If Dems stand up for civil unions, GOPs can now rightly cry inconsistency (and judicial activism). If Dems stand for gay marriage, GOPs can paint political opponents as immoral and non-traditional.

The way the question is framed, the real issue of historic conservative bigotry against gays and lesbians is ignored. The true issue is historic conservative bigotry.

Dems should either refuse to enter the arena, or question the motives of any who raise such an issue at this time in history.

Gay marriage is Gary Condit. Sharks in the water. A Sniper. Lacy Peterson. Abortion. Anything to keep our voters' eyes away from the Republican hand deep in our government's pockets, involved in the most unprecedented and shameful profit-taking (or looting) in the history of mankind.

When you compare the immediate impact of expending energy to defeat the conservatives on Gay Marriage with the like impact that same kind of energy used on our intelligence analysis evaluation could bring, the question becomes clear: Can't Democrats keep priorities straight for a short while? Just through the election cycle?

This year, in my opinion, we can't let GOPs split us on issues like Gay Marriage and Tax Cuts. We need to win back the legislative and executive branches at the ballot box, then settle these issues with deliberation.

[megatherium]

7. I'll hold off on gay marriage

at least until I get a partner to get married to. But seriously, if it were necessary to get rid of Bush, I would gladly subordinate this issue to the greater cause.

Many gay folk have been wondering why this issue now? It would be more logical to press for ENDA (employment non-discrimination) than the religiously-charged issue of gay marriage. In Louisville, Kentucky, a local ordinance was passed protecting GLBT people in employment. This happened after several unsuccessful attempts as a result of the public firing of a lesbian in a local Baptist charity. This destroyed the opponents' argument that gay people do not need protection against discrimination.

But I do support gay marriage. If we are forced to deal with this issue, we should remember that we hold the high moral ground, and take heart that the public will ultimately see through the hate to the real issues (war, peace, and the economy). There is precedent for voters even in conservative regions ignoring gay bashing. (I can't remember the details, but there was a congressional race in Texas where the loser resorted to gay bashing.)

[newyawker99]

9. Hi megatherium!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[megatherium]

12. Glad to be here!

Thank you for the friendly welcome!

[Beetwasher]

10. Dems Can Turn the Tables On This Issue Very Easily

The Dems have been given a gift by this overreaching of Karl Roves. It's obvious what he's trying to do; he's trying to make this the single issue of the campaign and wants to use it to divide and conquer. It's blatant. However, it can be turned against them. In their arrogance they have overreached with this one and it's very simple to turn this around and put them on the defensive about it and use it to divide and conquer them. The Dems have to be united on this and have to use the same phrases, the same wording over and over and bludgeon the country w/ it. They all need to be on the same page and this is what they have to say:

The Repubs want to DENY people their RIGHT to FREEDOM and PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS by ammending the constitution. The constitution was meant to protect these things, not deny them.

Notice the word gay is not in there. Notice the word marriage is not in there. That's on purpose and should remain that way. This needs to be turned into the Repubs defending ammending the constitution to deny people their right to freedom and pursuit of happiness. The words gay and marriage should never be uttered from the mouths of any Dem.

Plain, simple and end of story and I better fucking see this put forth by the Dems in this manner. I'm severely pissed off at this nonsense.

[patricia92243]

5. Abortion and Gay Marriage - the GOP has hit it big time on how to divert..

everybody's attention to the little, unimportant things such as intelligence on 911, Iraq War, environmental destruction, over-time pay, etc, etc, - You know - all the things that don't amount to a hill of beans!!! <S>

[cosmicdot]

6. Gee, she could have at least quoted a Founding Principle ...

"The Democrats accuse Bush of being out of touch but on this one, the administration is on the side of the majority."

I thought I was born in this country, and, as a citizen, that I had certain inalienable rights including Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness. Why must I be placed in the position of having to prove this ... or buy that natural right through the expense of litigation?
What a sad day when equal protection is deemed ill-timed.

I can believe that evil operatives have used political power to incite cultural war issues; however, it is the mantle of a great leader who will have the ability to rise to the occasion in addressing the antithesis.

"All, too, will bear in mind this sacred principle, that though the will of the majority is in all cases to prevail, that will to be rightful must be reasonable; that the minority possess their equal rights, which equal law must protect, and to violate would be oppression. Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and one mind. Let us restore to social intercourse that harmony and affection without which liberty and even life itself are but dreary things." Thomas Jefferson, 1st Inaugural Address

Let us, then, look to the great cause, and endeavor to preserve it in full force. Let us by all wise and constitutional measures promote intelligence among the people as the best means of preserving our liberties. James Monroe, 1st Inaugural Address

[Snappy]

8. Develope a backbone.

The Dem candidates should develope a backbone and endorse Gay Marriage as a Civil Rights issue, period. To say that they are pro Civil Unions is a cop out. The Dems have been appeasers and wusses on most issues. It's time to stand up for and be the Opposition Party.

[Merlin]

11. I refuse to believe the gay community actually supports this crap.

Most gays I know are astute, aware, thinking individuals. They are acutely sensitive to politics and the effect of cultural biases.

It is absolutely, positively certain that efforts to promote gay marriage--as opposed to civil unions--will play directly into the hands of the most fascist administration in modern US history.

The gay community should take the lead in taking gay marriage OFF the table, in favor of civil unions.