0 comment Sunday, July 13, 2014 | admin
On October 10, 2010, Obama said, "I will end 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' That's my commitment to you."
But on October 12, 2010, Obama's administration said it would appeal a judge's ruling that held a ban on gay marriage (the "Defense of Marriage Act" or DOMA) is unconstitutional.
In yet another case, Obama 's Justice Department defended the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy ("DADT") and asked the judge to uphold it. Now that the judge has ruled DADT unconstitutional and unenforceable, the Obama administration is expected to appeal that ruling, as well.
But in the above video clip of a speech he gave just three days ago, Obama was clearly against DADT and all for gay rights.
And here's a snippet from his 2008 campaign website, in which he addresses DOMA and DADT, and says he wants to repeal them both:
But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples � whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) � a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system. (emph. added)
So . . . . what happened? I'm thoroughly confused.
But on October 12, 2010, Obama's administration said it would appeal a judge's ruling that held a ban on gay marriage (the "Defense of Marriage Act" or DOMA) is unconstitutional.
In yet another case, Obama 's Justice Department defended the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy ("DADT") and asked the judge to uphold it. Now that the judge has ruled DADT unconstitutional and unenforceable, the Obama administration is expected to appeal that ruling, as well.
But in the above video clip of a speech he gave just three days ago, Obama was clearly against DADT and all for gay rights.
And here's a snippet from his 2008 campaign website, in which he addresses DOMA and DADT, and says he wants to repeal them both:
But I also believe that the federal government should not stand in the way of states that want to decide on their own how best to pursue equality for gay and lesbian couples � whether that means a domestic partnership, a civil union, or a civil marriage. Unlike Senator Clinton, I support the complete repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) � a position I have held since before arriving in the U.S. Senate. While some say we should repeal only part of the law, I believe we should get rid of that statute altogether. Federal law should not discriminate in any way against gay and lesbian couples, which is precisely what DOMA does. I have also called for us to repeal Don�t Ask, Don�t Tell, and I have worked to improve the Uniting American Families Act so we can afford same-sex couples the same rights and obligations as married couples in our immigration system. (emph. added)
So . . . . what happened? I'm thoroughly confused.
Labels: DonT Ask, DonT Tell, Gay Rights, Military, Obama, Read My Lips, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
0 comment Tuesday, June 10, 2014 | admin
Grand as in ten grand, ten thousand grand dollars.
Read this post from Ann Althouse's blog, copied below, in full:
"Want to take advantage of the proposed buy-in to the federal health care plan? Got $9,900? But you think you're getting a government subsidy? Oh, but you are. The buy-in will cost $20,000 � according to a CBO estimate � and � assuming you make only $54,000, on which you are attempting to raise a family of 4 � you will get a government subsidy of $10,100.
Or are you over 55 and thinking you'll get to buy into Medicare? That's estimated to cost $7,600 a year per person � $15,200 for a couple. No subsidies until 2014.
Do people who support what the Democrats are trying to do really understand how much money they will be required to come up with to comply?
PLUS: Here comes the VAT!"
Speaking of grand, did you know that since the recession began, the number of federal employees making $100,000+ has increased by an eye-popping FORTY-SIX PERCENT?From the USA Today, here's a happy little blurb for you:
The highest-paid federal employees are doing best of all on salary increases. Defense Department civilian employees earning $150,000 or more increased from 1,868 in December 2007 to 10,100 in June 2009, the most recent figure available. When the recession started, the Transportation Department had only one person earning a salary of $170,000 or more. Eighteen months later, 1,690 employees had salaries above $170,000.If that didn't cheer you up, hop on over to Mike Shedlock's blog. He's listed some of the marvelous projects funded by Obama's stimulus package -- you know, the one the Democrats passed this February.
Here's one project sure to warm your heart:Program to Control Home Appliances From a Remote Location ($787,250)
Fifty homes on Martha's Vineyard in Massachusetts will participate in a test program to allow an outside party to control their energy use, ?Big Brother style. The initiative will allow participating households to purchase discounted appliances from General Electric (GE) that are capable of communicating with � and being controlled by � an off-site computer system.
Go on. Have a look at the rest of them.I'll have a good stiff drink waiting for you when you come back. Err, better make that cocktail a hemlock.
Ah. Ain't government grand!
Labels: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot