tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post3132391646756317231..comments2009-01-12T13:36:04.410-06:00Crawford's Takehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01245128617020823714noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-8664291140426252922009-01-12T13:36:00.000-06:002009-01-12T13:36:00.000-06:00Thank you for your service!Crawford's Takehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01245128617020823714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-86893254129172685502009-01-05T08:50:00.000-06:002009-01-05T08:50:00.000-06:00I was in the military for 8 years, so I agree completely that the policy of Dont Ask, Dont Tell needs to go away. Someone is able to die for their country but not be out of the closet is mind blowing to me. I was a it shocked that Obama picked that priest for the prayer part, but in other ways I am not. I feel he wants to have everyone from every view be involved in his office. I am just hoping that the LGBT community is not forgotten again.icsunlighthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05341018831103413355noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-46882761055303193842008-12-29T20:07:00.000-06:002008-12-29T20:07:00.000-06:00What percentage of the people in California are Mormons? I imagine its less than 6.7.<BR/><BR/>By the way, I didn't state my opinion or definition of marriage. So please don't put words in my mouth.<BR/><BR/>I will say this: the people have voted, and the vote in California regarding marriage is as sacred as the one which elected Obama.patricknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-22396466039588637152008-12-29T14:25:00.000-06:002008-12-29T14:25:00.000-06:00BTW: Just because you believe in the "traditional definition of marriage" doesn't mean you don't believe in other definitions as defined by the state. The entire argument is inane...<BR/><BR/>As to blaming Prop 8 on African Americans??? LMAO! They make up about 6.7% http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/06000.html of the TOTAL population of California! The measure was placed on the ballot primarily by white people, almost entirely financed by white people (to the tune of millions) and even if every black person in CA voted for it, they don't even come close to a majority of the numbers of people who voted for this measure there... to blame it on them is ludicrious, race baiting, and divide and conquer at its best!Crawford's Takehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01245128617020823714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-13090887265807180332008-12-29T14:19:00.000-06:002008-12-29T14:19:00.000-06:00Obama's actual stance on LGBT rights. http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/lgbt.pdf<BR/><BR/>The battle in the LGBT/progressive community is over semantics... The terms "Civil Unions" vs "Marriage" are the battle lines with some saying they want full marriage rights and some willing to settle for full legal rights regardless of what the state calls the union of two individuals. <BR/><BR/>I say, let the churches "marry" people they wish to marry based on their private beliefs, and we should ALL get a "Certificate of Civil Union" from the state giving us legal rights as a couple and get the state out of deciding what is and isn't a "marriage".<BR/><BR/>Regardless of the terms used, the POINT is that a couple regardless of sex deserves the right to have their relationship recognized by the state as legitimate for legal reasons. Any two consenting adults ought to be able to go to the court house and get a legal document... especially if we actually have religious liberty in this country!<BR/><BR/>Obama's promises: <BR/><BR/>Expand Hate Crimes Statutes<BR/>In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported.<BR/>Obama co-sponsored legislation to expand federal hate crimes law to include crimes perpetrated<BR/>because of sexual orientation or gender identity.<BR/>Fight Workplace Discrimination and Promote Rights<BR/>Obama believes the Employment Non-Discrimination Act should be expanded to include sexual orientation<BR/>and gender identity. Obama sponsored legislation in the Illinois State Senate that would ban employment<BR/>discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.<BR/>Support Full Civil Unions and Federal Rights for LGBT Couples<BR/>Barack Obama supports full civil unions that give same-sex couples equal legal rights and privileges as<BR/>married couples, including the right to assist their loved ones in times of emergency as well as equal<BR/>health insurance, employment benefits, and property and adoption rights. Obama also believes we need<BR/>to fully repeal the Defense of Marriage Act and enact legislation that would ensure that the 1,100+ federal<BR/>legal rights and benefits currently provided on the basis of marital status are extended to same-sex<BR/>couples in civil unions and other legally-recognized unions.<BR/>Oppose a Constitutional Ban on Same-Sex Marriage<BR/>Obama voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would have defined marriage as between<BR/>a man and a woman and prevented judicial extension of marriage-like rights to same-sex or other unmarried<BR/>couples.<BR/>Repeal Don’t Ask-Don’t Tell<BR/>Obama believes we need to repeal the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. The key test for military service<BR/>should be patriotism, a sense of duty, and a willingness to serve. Obama will work with military leaders<BR/>to repeal the current policy and ensure we accomplish our national defense goals.<BR/>Fight AIDS Worldwide<BR/>Obama has been a global leader in the fight against AIDS. He traveled to Kenya and took a public HIV<BR/>test to encourage testing and reduce the stigma of the disease. Obama worked to reauthorize the Ryan<BR/>White CARE Act, one of the largest sources of federal funds for primary health care and support services<BR/>for HIV/AIDS patients.Crawford's Takehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01245128617020823714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19725412.post-52690120057386482972008-12-24T11:19:00.000-06:002008-12-24T11:19:00.000-06:00Ms. Crawford:<BR/><BR/>Obama has clearly stated that he supports a traditional definition of marriage. Of course he would then support California amendments which define marriage as between a man and a woman. Perhaps the left needs to stop projecting onto the Obama the need to be the cheerleader for every seperate cause some lefty has. <BR/><BR/>While I would have voted against Prop 8 because it seems hard to stand against the waves of history, the supporters of prop 8 have demonstrated themselves to be the equal bigots as those they mistakenly believe denied what they imagined were their rights. You'll note the outlash at the Mormons who had the audacity to exercise they right to free speech--how anthrax scares and black lists were the quick response of the "loving" LBGT community. Did they send white powder to the NAACP or Hispanic churches to express their outrage with minority voters who passed this measure. Surely, this is the will of these minority groups, not some evil conservative plot. Until you understand this, it will be impossible to change the situation.patricknoreply@blogger.com