Discussion#1: President Obama on
Gay Marriage
After
watching the posted video clip in regard to President Obama’s decision to make
public his feelings and views on the subject of Gay/Lesbian Marriages, I must
say, I am not at all convinced that the president himself believes totally in
his new found convictions. “Surprisingly, near election time”. Nevertheless, I do feel that President Obama
made a gallant effort in getting the attention and interest of Gay/Lesbian
couples around the world with his bold announcement. President Obama appealed
to the Gay/Lesbian community was that of a sympathizer, and so armed with the
knowledge of the struggles of same-sex couples for the right to be treated just
as fair and impartial as those of the opposite-sex couples. In respect to same-sex
couples’ personal lives, President Obama was very selective of his choice words
in order not to alienate the majority of Gay/Lesbian followers.
Not
only did President Obama choose his words adamantly in pursuit of the
Gay/Lesbian favor, Obama also used persuasive annotation of the struggles
concerning the lives of all military orientated personnel by appealing to the,”
American Defense”, side of the issue in which homosexuals, alongside with
heterosexuals, also gave their lives to protect and defend the nation. To this
day, there are still enlisted Gay/Lesbian members of the society with family
and love ones who no longer have to be questioned on their sexual orientation thanks
to the, “don’t ask, don’t tell”, roll back.
President
Obama, even with the use of creative words of persuasion, will still have to
face the back lash of his public opinion from them who fear what they do not
understand and those who choose not to listen well to what they hear. President
Obama stated, “It is important for me to just go ahead and affirm, that I think
same sex couples should get married”. This statement should be looked upon for
what it is, just an opinion.
I think it's about time he stood up and said that he was supporting gay marriage. Gay people deserve to be happy just as much as anyone else and not allowing them to marry is just criminal in my opinion. So even though I don't exactly approve of all of Obama's policies I say good for him for finally standing up and defending equal rights.
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with Obama on this one (which is a first), I do have to agree with you that it does seem a bit convenient a time to make his opinion known in this manner seeing as elections are right around the corner. Nevertheless, I like to think the President is genuine in his opinion and that he intends to help amend these issues and get everyone the same, equal rights as eveeryone else. If this is just another political ploy to garner more votes in November, then I admit myself disappointed. Not surprised, but a bit disappointed. The appealing of "don't ask, don't tell" was a great step in the right direction, but there is much more work to be done, and hopefully President Obama will help make those nessecary changes in our country's policy on marriage, madical decision rights, and everything that goes along with it.
ReplyDeleteI say it's about time Obama finally started openly supporting gay marriage and equal rights. I haven't agreed with most of his policies and haven't been liking a lot of his "change" (mostly because nothing's changed) but this finally seems like a step in the right direction. If Obama is able to accomplish legalizing gay marriage then it'll be a huge step forward for equality among all people in this country. I personally have always supported gay marriage and I was thrilled when they repealed "Don't ask, don't tell" so if Obama is successful in his newest goal then it will make this country all the closer to being what the founding fathers intended it to be; Free and equal.
DeleteSarah discussed some observations that I agree with. Obama's statements definitely were opinions, and he made it very clear that they were. In doing so, it made it seem that he was just another one us us, the general public sharing his thoughts and explaining why he thinks the way he does.
ReplyDeleteHe made it clear though that the choice on the legality of same sex marriages should be left up to the state. Stating this was no mistake and as Obama is a master politician. He gained a ton of support by making this statement, and making it the states decision makes them the "bad guy".
It is interesting that the President chose to come out with his support for Gay marriage at a time when his numbers are starting to fall. Political motives aside, it’s good that we finally have a sitting US President who is openly in favor of Gay marriage. They’re citizens as well as human beings and they should be afforded the same rights and possibilities as every other citizen and human being.
ReplyDeleteWhy people’s private lives have had to become a political talking point in order for them to receive fair and equal treatment is beyond me but I’m glad it’s finally coming to, what I can hope, is an end.
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ReplyDeleteAs you all said, the time setting of the speech and the election date right around the corner does make you wonder if Obama is genuine about his support for same sex marriages. Or is he just using his speech as a technique to get votes from gay/lesbian citizens? The topic on Gay/Lesbian laws reminds me of something Martin Luther King stated in his "Letter from Birmingham Jail" as he referred to St.Thomas Aquinas, "An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law. Any law that uplifts human personality is just. Any law that degrades human personality is unjust." With this said, I respect President Obama as a leader for addressing and not accepting this unjust law that takes away equal rights from the Gay/Lesbian community.
ReplyDeleteI completly agree with you on this video. President, Obama, seems very unsure about his speech legalizing same sex marriage. If he comes accross as unsure, I do not think that people would feed into the speech. Obama, does chose his words carefully not to step on anybodys toes. This is unjust law that is an impediment on Gay/Lesbian community, and all Americans should be treated equally and have equal rights no matter what their personal preference. Brittany, I like the comparsion from the "Letter from Briminham Jail" "An unjust law is a human law that is not rooted in eternal law and natural law." I think that put the icing on the cake!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, the timing of this speech and the election date seem to be very opportunistic, Im do not believe that the president would try to ensure his campaign by promoting something he truly does not believein. I also think that his unsure attitude was him not being fully behind the action of openly admitting that he supported gay and lesbian marriages. While I am not a person that believes in gay and lesbian marriages, I do not feel as if the government has the right to dictate to those about how they choose to live thier lives. Although I may not agree with his approach I respect and support President Obama's decision to change this unjust law that makes the rights of the Gay and Lesbian community un equal to other americans. Many of the observations that Sarah made were very obvious and I am totally in agrrement with them.
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