Evidently overturning the Defense of Marriage Act is simply a sliver of the Obama Administration's fearless crusade for LGBT rights:
The Obama administration filed court papers Monday claiming a federal marriage law discriminates against gays, even as government lawyers continue to defend the law.
Justice Department lawyers are seeking to dismiss a suit brought by a gay California couple challenging the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act. The administration's response to the case has angered gay activists who see it as backtracking on campaign promises made by Barack Obama.
In the court papers, the administration urges the repeal of the law but says in the meantime, government lawyers will continue to defend it as a law on the books.
It takes a special sort of super genius to have your administration both attacking and defending DOMA in the same court.
"Let me at 'em, let me at 'em..."
Barack Obama has the backbone of an eclair.
Note: Here's more on Obama's innovative stance on LGBT civil rights. He says he's going to "work with Congress" to repeal DOMA. All I can say is this: If Obama works the same sort of magic on DOMA that he's worked on health care - excuse me, health insurance - reform, LGBTs will be lucky to avoid a mandatory stint in a fundamentalist gay reeducation camp.
As I said in an earlier comment: best backstab to date.
I can hear the gasps of rage from the well-appointed houses of West Hollywood.
The only party that could get away with this is the GOP, in a Nixon to China fashion. The sooner the gays realize this, the sooner they will wield actual power in the matter . . . as long as the gays stay Democrat, they're just biding time on the reservation.
Posted by: David | August 17, 2009 at 05:21 PM
Obama does it with flair.
Posted by: PeterUK | August 17, 2009 at 05:23 PM
It seems they're not even trying to sell the sizzle anymore. It's the nuance of the sizzle that they're selling.
Or is it a sliver of the sizzle that's up for grabs? I'm sure Axelrod will clarify it in a blast e-mail to the minions.
Posted by: Allen | August 17, 2009 at 05:31 PM
Th sizzle is fading like the "Smile on the face of the Cheshire Cat",soon all that will be left is fizzle.
Posted by: PeterUK | August 17, 2009 at 06:12 PM
Dem Rep: "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Will Be Repealed Shortly
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/14/dem-rep-dont-ask-dont-tel_n_259838.html
In an interview with the Huffington Post, Rep. Patrick Murphy, (D-Pa.), said he was confident that a repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell" would pass through Congress and make it the president's desk in months.
"This policy is going to be repealed in a short matter of time," Murphy said. As for service members who are being discharged because of their sexuality, Murphy said "If they can hold on, help is on the way. And help is going to come form the Congress and be signed into law by the president."
Murphy has 168 co-sponsors for legislation that would repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell", as well as several commitments from party leadership that the bill will come to a vote
Posted by: markg8 | August 17, 2009 at 07:37 PM
Wonderful.
He could have had it done months ago, though, had he wanted to.
Posted by: Dennis the Peasant | August 17, 2009 at 08:14 PM
He wants congress to do it Dennis so the next asshole you elect doesn't try to repeal it.
Posted by: markg8 | August 17, 2009 at 11:57 PM
That and having the entire Republican party vote against it, well that's too much to pass up. Sort of like getting Republicans to reject any and all compromises on health care reform. The GOP is digging in, just like the redcoats at Yorktown.
Posted by: markg8 | August 18, 2009 at 12:02 AM