Monday, August 16, 2010

Mr. President, Will YOU Commmit Today?

So California's despicable Prop8 amendment gets overturned by a federal judge on strong constitutional grounds and we get a tepidly generic comment from an unnamed White House staffer:
“The President has spoken out in opposition to Proposition 8 because it is divisive and discriminatory. He will continue to promote equality for LGBT Americans.”
h/t to the Advocate
President Obama's "official position" is that while he feels gay and lesbian Americans should enjoy equal rights (if the state they live in decides to grant them), civil marriage is only for those fortunate enough to be heterosexual.

Meanwhile, people are objecting to the building of a Muslim community center and mosque in lower Manhattan, and the President himself goes on camera to stand up for the constitutional right of religious liberty.
“Ground Zero is, indeed, hallowed ground. But let me be clear: as a citizen, and as president, I believe that Muslims have the [same] right to practice their religion as anyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan, in accordance with local laws and ordinances.”
http://www.mediaite.com/online/obama-defends-right-to-build-ground-zero-mosque/
Let me be clear, I agree with his position on religious liberties.  I think it's a troubling trend in America to advocate that minority rights be subjected to popular opinion or majority vote.  But the contrast in the President's response to the two most recent incidents of this trend is very telling. 

Is it any wonder I roll my eyes when I get fund raising and volunteering appeals from the Democratic National Party, like this one I got today?
http://my.barackobama.com/page/community/post/ericasagrans/gGMkVJ
Does anyone else see the irony in this statement from the DNC?
Studies have shown that when people pledge to do something, they're much more likely to follow through. This simple but powerful concept helped us make history in 2008, when first-time voters who made a commitment played a critical role in the election.
I seem to remember President Obama making a commitment to be our "Fierce Advocate" for equality.  I don't know about you, but I'm still waiting for the follow through.

I'll make you a deal, Mr. President.  You commit to full equality for gay and lesbian Americans, and I'll commit to voting for a Democrat this November.