Obama extends hospital visitation rights to same-sex partners of gays- Page 2

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 11:45am

If you were The President of the US, what would you do? Updated On: 4/16/10 at 11:45 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 11:48am

I'm not the president. I never could be president, so I'm not gonna play with your straw man.

And I saw you changed your response. If over a year isn't a long time in your book, what is? His term is ticking down.

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 11:52am

It's fair to criticize Obama, or any other politician, for failing to live up to his or her promises. That said, many of the promises were made somewhat earlier in the campaign, when no one had any idea that the economy was going to go in the crapper to the exten that it did, and that the next president would inherit an economy on the verge of total collapse. Incoming presidents have political capital to spend, and Obama (and McCain, and Clinton) made promises not knowing how much he would have to expend on the economy, as well as on a SCOTUS nominee.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 11:53am

Remember when he was for gay marriage until God got into the mix?

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 11:54am

Yes, I did change my response, because I wanted to ask you that question. There's no hidden agenda - or straw to play with. It's a simple question.

If it takes a year, or 4 years, I'm sure it will happen.

I think that Obama is doing a great job as President. He inherited a HUGE, HUGE, HUGE mess - the economy, healthcare, etc. It took many, many years to get into this mess. He's not a miracle worker, has never claimed to be one, - he's a man, a human being - flaws and all. Regarding healthcare, he's trying to fix something that has never worked to begin with. It's been all F'ed up for decades.

I certainly wouldn't want to be President, because regardless of what decision he makes - he's damned if he does, and damned if he doesn't. He's not going to make everyone happy. People will always have something to complain about.

Regarding the topic of this thread, I'm thrilled that he has extended hospital visitation rights to same sex partners.
Updated On: 4/16/10 at 11:54 AM

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:03pm

Well, I guess if I were President, I would have remembered the promises I made. Or not campaigned the falsehoods of a new era of change and transparency, et al.

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:43pm

Plum is absolutely correct. I'm sorry, but it's clear that those of you who want it all now just do not have a knowledge of civil rights history--of the way it was and is.

Again--I'm getting married this summer. I'm pissed that I have to have two weddings, especially with that being more costly let alone inconvenient. I'm pissed that I'll have a hell of a time at tax time next year. I could go on with the very direct ways my inequality affects me.

I don't pull out my hair because I SEE the change taking place. By our President and by all of the progress happening around us.

I was listening to Caroline, Or Change again last night--it had been way too long--and I was amazed at some things in it that feel very poignant now that Obama is President. Seems people of color weren't thrilled with Kennedy's progress either, while others believed that he was working toward his promise.

[winston89]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:46pm

nealb1, I am in full agreement with you. Yes, this is a little thing, and I am not even going to get into the argument of should he have done more things as far as equal rights is concerned early on in his term. However, I do think that the mature thing to do is to take this or any other issue involving equal rights as a small but positive thing and move forward realizing that it is a small victory.

I do understand the importance of the issue but bickering about it like little children is not going to solve anything.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:49pm

Who says he hasn't remembered the promise he made? The man still has 3 more years to get things done.

While I feel gay rights are important, right now I am more interested in him getting the economy together. While not everywhere, there are hospitals that have allowed visitation rights on their own. ( I have been one of those visitors) There are states that have passed gay rights bills. So to a degree some of us have had some of the things we are fighting to get into law nationally. I do agree that it should be everywhere and law especially the decision making as there are so many gay men and women out there who only have their partners or friends to make those medical decisions for them. JMO

Updated On: 4/16/10 at 12:49 PM

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:56pm

Thanks, Winston89. Well said, Uncaged.

Common sense....I LOVE IT!

[madbrian]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 12:59pm

The link below goes to a lengthy, but worthwhile analysis of Obama's first year by presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin. While not specifically about civil rights issues, it provides a good context.
Goodwin

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:11pm

The baby steps came too late for these guys

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:22pm

That's a very sad situation. Thanks for sharing it.

[uncageg]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:23pm

Very sad. I know a person who lost everything because the courts let his family take everything from their home after his partner died. The family wanted nothing to do with their gay son even when he fell ill. As soon as he died, they all of a sudden cared for their son and took everything the two purchased together and got 1/2 of the house. He was forced to give up his half. All he had left were a few personal things and his car.

But we can't blame Obama for these things that have been happening before he got in office. Unfortunayely they are still happening. But we will get there. And if we don't under Obama, as he has promised, then I will be on the side of people who are upset that he didn't keep his promise.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:25pm

But you see, it IS table scraps when one looks at how this would be only one of hundreds of rights and privileges legalized Gay Marriage would allow.

[nealb1]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:27pm

Well said, uncageg.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:32pm

Well said, SNAFU.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:35pm

"Yes, this is a little thing"

No. No, it's not. It will affect more people than the reversal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell.

"But you see, it IS table scraps when one looks at how this would be only one of hundreds of rights and privileges legalized Gay Marriage would allow."

But he told us flat out that he was not for gay marriage. Flat out. Whether it was a political move, or genuine change of heart, I have no idea why everyone is so flabbergasted that he's sticking to that. It's the deal I made with the Devil when I voted for him. Cause, let's face it, the other Devil was far worse.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:45pm

I for one am happy to be a good little gay and to accept the benevolent gifts given to me.

I don't dare hope for more. That's not my place.

Were I a citizen of worth as other normal, non-gay Americans are, I would be upset at the blatant discrimination.

But I am not. I am not equal and I will still vote for Obama because, as he knows, rational people (even second class gay people) always vote for the lesser of two evils.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:49pm

"I for one am happy to be a good little gay and to accept the benevolent gifts given to me."

Yes...because those are the only two choices, right? Mindless robot, or Lear raging on the heath? There's no chance that we can celebrate our victories (no matter how 'small' they might seem to some people) and still work our asses off to move forward toward full equality?

I feel lucky to know a lot of people who can manage both. Hope you meet some someday.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:50pm

1 down, 1137 to go.

hey at this rate y'all will have full marriage equlity in the year 3488.

gimme an f
gimme an i
gimme an e
gimme an r
gimme a c
gimme an e

what's that spell?

f-i-e-r-c-e

fierce, fierce advocate!

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:52pm

robbie, robbie, robbie. i have heard you're very good at the gay thing too. even with little gays.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 1:59pm

But he told us flat out that he was not for gay marriage. Flat out. Whether it was a political move, or genuine change of heart, I have no idea why everyone is so flabbergasted that he's sticking to that.

So why believe anything he says? He's either full of it, craven, or a little bit of both.

[WindyCityActor]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 2:02pm

Good Lord....Thanks for Sharing Papa.

Now, I know why I left the board for several months.

See of of y'all....never.

[tazber]

Posted: 4/16/10 at 2:04pm

Which is about when we can expect any of Obama's "promises" to come true.