Obama's "evolution"

Yesterday, about an hour before the announcement, I saw on Twitter the prediction that he would be announcing his change of mind yesterday.  I read the analysis of that, which I found more interesting than the actual announcement.  

I was in the middle of something and received a call from a friend who was excited and wanted to share.  Because I had been busy, I had not been on-line to see the burst of news.  I rather unenthusiastically responded.

Now, I'm normally very excited by every major vote in our favour, every court ruling, every important development.  But this didn't really excite me in any way.

I guess partly because I think this was his actual position all along and that he only took the opposite position because of political cowardice.  Overcoming your vices doesn't deserve celebration on my part.

Another reason is because I don't find this a difficult or controversial moral issue.  It should be a pretty easy call.  Nor is it leadership when a majority of the country already feels that way.  There shouldn't have been a religious issue for him, as he was part of the UCC which has endorsed marriage equality theologically.

The "evolution" language has always annoyed me.  And I think that the final evolution was politically expedient because major gay donors had been withholding funds.  I generally agree with this WashPost blogger.  

The HRC wanted everyone to send a thank you e-mail to the President.  Unlike most of their e-mails, they didn't let you change the text.  I didn't agree with their text, and didn't send it.  

Yes, this president has achieved more for LGBT rights than any other president before, but when you are comparing to a bunch of folks that did nothing or actually enacted laws to make our situation worse (Bill Clinton), then there isn't much to compare to.  I don't find that he's acted with moral courage or leadership on our issues.  And I doubt I will forgive him or Democrat party for their failure to pass ENDA when they controlled the Congress.  Part of the array of things I was voting for in 2008 was to see that achieved within the year.  I really don't think I'll ever get over that disappointment.

So, this President has still not excited or motivated me.  I'm still disappointed in him.  With his personal change of heart yesterday came no call for action and no new steps, because he basically said his personal position wouldn't change any federal policies or laws.  Well, that was Dick Cheney's view a decade or more ago.  Doesn't do much for me and my household.

One qualification: will his public position put more pressure upon those opponents in the African-American community to change their position or lessen their opposition?  If so, then I'll be grateful for that.

Comments

[Nikola]

"Overcoming your vices doesn't deserve celebration on my part."
I disagree with this. We are all flawed. In my beliefs (and I think in yours, too), we are all inherently great, all part of the Divine. But, we have flaws. We have things that we need to overcome, to work toward. And, I think when someone takes that courageous step to try to fix that flaw--whether it's large or small--it deserves acknowledgment.
In a few months, I will be 'celebrating' 5 years of not smoking. For some people, that's not that big of a deal, they've never been smokers, so they may just think "Well, you shouldn't have started smoking in the first place!" And, sometimes, *I* feel that way. But every year the people who truly care about me and care about the strides I've made toward a healthier life, tell me "Congratulations!" And, truthfully, I need that. It's easy to be a smoker. I LOVED smoking (in fact, I had a dream about buying cigarettes last night...5 years after quitting). The support of friends & family is what has made it worth it.
He is the first sitting President to proclaim his full support of Gay Marriage. Regardless of his intentions, this is a HUGE deal in American history. And, bottom line, had he come out in support of Gay Marriage in 2007 or 2008, he would absolutely not be in the White House right now. No question. Unfortunately, when you're running for office, you often have to curb some of your personal stances for NOW, so that you will have the opportunity to put them in place in the FUTURE. (I promise you that there are a zillion elected officials in D.C. & around the country who think that the best thing to do, personally, is to raise taxes. But, that is not politically expedient.) The tough thing about politics is deciding when it's best for the BIG PICTURE to be outward with your personal policies, and when it's best to tone them down for awhile until you have the clout to actually do something with them.
Even though it is the majority popular opinion to support Gay Marriage, it continues to FAIL state by state who votes on it. This isn't a cut & dry issue in the hearts & minds of the American people--yet.
You don't have to celebrate this. But, I am. And I will continue to. This was courageous & I've been waiting for many, many years to hear the words come out of THIS President's mouth. So, I'm happy that that day has finally come.

[Scott Jones]

Noted.