I’m gradually recovering–a bit better every day, still a way to go–from Whirling World. Meanwhile for you delectation and delight (or irritation, or amusement), here is Barack Obama’s speech to HRC, conveniently chopped into three parts:
So, what do you think? I think first of all: Whoa, what a bunch of white people; HRC needs to look to its recruitment strategies. Then I think: we’ll be rid of DOMA and DADT by about 2011. I think a federal domestic partnership will follow some time later. Some time after that, we’ll be able to call it ‘marriage’. But that will be a while.
Meanwhile, I’m serving anyone who lives in the state of Washington with this notice: if I find that you did not vote in November, for any reason (hospitalisation of you or your immediate family, or apocalyptic interventions such as an earthquake over 6.8 on the Richter scale, excepted), you are no longer welcome in my home, real or virtual. Referendum 71 is my line in the sand. It matters. If you can’t be bothered to vote on something that impacts my life directly, I don’t care to know you. No, I will not ask you how you voted (though the correct answer, just in case you’re not feeling too bright today, is I voted Yes on Referendum 71). But I will not abide someone who doesn’t care.
I hope that’s clear. I won’t change my mind.
Nicola Griffith 
I wasn't particularly inspired by Obama's speech, being the impatient sort myself, and knowing that we may very well lose the Democratic majority in November. But we'll see. I'm heartened by the imminent passage of ENDA.
And I agree with you on voting on Ref. 71. I insisted our youngest be registered to vote because dammit, it matters.
I'm glad you're feeling better!
I'm glad you're feeling better. We're both definitely voting for Ref. 71 in this household. (And: Mike McGinn for mayor, Mike O'Brien for city council, among others ;>).
As someone accosted by HRC recruiters every day in Manhattan, let me just suggest they try find new members OUTSIDE of the West Village and Chelsea. (just a thought)
fran, I don't think the majority or not will make that much difference.
luke, thank you.
colleen, it's all about the outreach. Some orgs just reach further than others.
Very good to hear that you are on the mend.
I saw it last night. I thought it was a great speech. The man gives good speeches, no question. Words are a start, but we've heard them before — it's action that counts. We'll see what he does. And IF he can get the votes to pass this stuff.
I found it a little annoying that he is taking some kind of credit for signing the hate crime bill into law when he has had little to do with it, and so many people have worked so many years for it. At least he did mention Matthew Shephard's mother and Ted Kennedy, but it felt a little propaganda-ish to me.
Promises without a timetable are not a plan, they are a dream. What's the specific plan?
I commend the president for giving that speech, but I remain optimistically skeptical.
He can't do it alone either. We have to keep making noise.
I think what will move things forward on the national level is the Republicans ditching the fundies. Once the Republican party can start competing with the Dems for some of the gay vote, then the Dems will have actually start doing something.
If the Republicans keep clinging to the fundies like they are, I feel like the whole battle's going to be a slow grind as older voters age out of the system and younger voters, who think this whole fight is ludicrous, step into the gap. But that will take a lot longer.
Watch this. A good edit of some footage from today's rally in DC. Kate Clinton talks about 'tolerance fatigue'.
I do not see why people think Obama gives good speeches. For a long time I didn't look at the video clips, preferring to read the text and see what he was actually saying. Then after he was elected I relented a bit, and found that he is a pompous, annoying, dishonest speaker. The fact that he's a somewhat better speaker than Bush is no excuse; adults should be able to tell the difference between marginally better and good. Becoming a politician on a national scale has evidently done major damage to Obama's intellect and moral fiber.
I think there's a good chance that the Democrats won't keep their Congressional Majority in 2010, but like Nicola I don't think the majority makes that much difference. They have it, they're not using it, but it's no surprise, we're talking about the Collaboration Party here. At least I will never in my lifetime have to pretend to be polite when someone tries to tell me that “we” need a Dem in the White House and a Dem majority in Congress. The thing is, the way things stand now, a Democratic Congressional Majority in 2010 is just not on the table, it's not workable, it's not realistic. (Much like such a majority in 1994, for similar reasons: the Dems and their President had shown their true colors.)
It's too bad I don't live in Washington State; I'd certainly vote for Ref 71. It's much closer to what I consider important: valuing all families, not just married or quasi-married couples.
Our household and all our friends that we know are voting to approve Ref 71. I'm starting to wonder if anyone is tiring of me exhorting them, but then, no one has complained, so I'll keep saying it.
I am with you on this: I don't understand how people who have the right to vote choose not to. I mean, people are dying in other countries for democracy. It pains me, with every civic bone in my body.
I'm glad to hear you're feeling better.
I'm a compulsive voter! Every time. Always for third parties; heck, all I can do is widen that edge sometimes.
I don't think it is silly to say what the “correct” vote is. Referendums are so jack-assed worded, I have a moment of voter panic every time I see one– “Does YES mean…I…am FOR this thing? Or does…NO mean….crap, now I have to re-read it.”
Don't forget Question 1 in Maine! Anyone who lives in Maine and doesn't vote NO on 1 will destroy gay marriage that's already LEGAL!
If you have friends or relatives in Washington State–or Maine–please talk to them. Please tell them to vote Yes in Washington on 71 and No in Maine on 1. It affects our lives. Please help voters to get out there and make a difference.