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Home » Blogs » snicks's blog » Keith and Rachel on the President's "olive branches" and inaction

Keith and Rachel on the President's "olive branches" and inaction

by
snicks

Above you can see Keith Olbermann's chat last night with HRC President Joe Solmonese about President Obama's granting some rights to the same-sex partners of federal employees.

It's questioned whether it's a "memorandum" or "executive order" (if it's a memorandum, it'll expire as soon as he leaves office), and whether it's a "make good", an "I.O.U." or "an insult". I think it's interesting that Keith seems more fired up (and less willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt) than Joe.

Rachel Maddow also took on the "memorandum" with Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin. You can see that conversation below, which includes talk about that hideous DOMA brief, and what the chances are of repealing DOMA in the near future.

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    • Submitted by
    snicks
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 13:26.
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    Liz T's picture

    hmmm

    Submitted by
    Liz T (8812 points) (1835 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 14:33.

    they both (tammy and joe) were like "yay, he did this, but we still have work to do" without really calling him out.

    I dont think it's enough to get all happy about.. thats just me though.

     

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    Androjai's picture

    Olive branch???

    Submitted by
    Androjai (642 points) (131 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 14:43.

    Olive branch?? really? More like a bare stick. There are no olives on this branch my friends. Not even those crappy cheap manzanilla ones.....

     

    Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights in any way. It isn't "special" to be free from discrimination. It is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship."

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    Jay's picture

    See!! Obama is on our side!

    Submitted by
    Jay (1644 points) (440 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 14:53.
    See!! Obama is on our side! You can't have a go at him when he's only doing what he can within the limitations that are set within the system. Eventually things will change. He's made it explicitly clear that he doesn't agree with what was said in that DOMA document and is pushing to overturn it and he backs the bill that will extend health rights e.t.c. I can't believe gay people are still moaning after all this has happened. He's following through on his promises slowly but surely.
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    Androjai's picture

    almost

    Submitted by
    Androjai (642 points) (131 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 15:40.

     

     If that is true, then why did he let the DoJ defend the bill in such INFLAMMATORY and DISCRIMINATORY language? he can say whatever he wants--- in fact he says alot of things. Do you enjoy being compared to an incestuous person? How about a pedophile? Giving my partner plane tickets and sick days is not going to solve that .

    Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights in any way. It isn't "special" to be free from discrimination. It is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship."

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    Androjai's picture

    *sigh*

    Submitted by
    Androjai (642 points) (131 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 15:43.

     

     In no way did i mean the previous post as an attack against you. i apologize if it came across that way. I am just a little fired up...

    Gay and lesbian rights are not special rights in any way. It isn't "special" to be free from discrimination. It is an ordinary, universal entitlement of citizenship."

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    joeyhegele's picture

    The buck stops with him

    Submitted by
    joeyhegele (1147 points) (331 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 16:37.

    Obama may not have personally written the Department of Justice brief but he is ultimately responsible for its contents.  Just like Bush may have not written any of the DOJ torture memos, but he is responsible for them being allowed to exist.

    The DOJ was used to uphold bigotry in the must dishonest and disgusting language possible.  That language should reflect poorly upon Obama.  If we had some actual gains from him to offset this insult, I may be more forgiving.  However, we have his presidency beginning with the Rick Warren insult (not to mention the similar Donnie McClurkin situation during the primary), then no movement on any of the legislation he promised, no words of support to the many states which have passed marriage equality since he entered office, and now this disgusting attack on our civil rights from the organization which should be defending it.

    Other than the gay pride month recognition and invite for gay families to the Easter egg roll, gay people have been pretty invisible to Obama.

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    Sakhmet's picture

    Was it just me, or did it

    Submitted by
    Sakhmet (565 points) (118 posts)
    on Thu, 2009-06-18 17:37.

    Was it just me, or did it seem Rachel was too busy being a kissup to actually do her damn job?  I've seen her get several great chances and all she's done is smile and roll her eyes heavenwards in excitement.  Last night, she had a chance to actually dig in with Tammy and all she did was let the congresswoman bullshit her way through the interview.  She did the same with Pelosi a few months back.  I was way more impressed with Keith over this than Rachel, and I fast forward through most of his show. What happened to the real journalists?

    To Tammy: Great, thanks for being the token gay person for that signing. Be sure to shuffle your feet and get in a couple of 'yes, Boss' next time.

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