(Semi-NSFW — the Flying Nun is a bit of a potty mouth)
__
From the Washington Post:
Newark Mayor Cory Booker, “Modern Family” star Jesse Tyler Ferguson and NAACP President Ben Jealous showed up at Saturday’s Human Rights Campaign dinner to talk about gay rights. Sally Field showed up to talk about her son.
Her youngest child, Sam Greisman, is openly gay, and the Oscar-winning actress wanted to thank the 3,000 men and women in the convention center for paving a smoother path for his life…
HRC is fighting to elect Democratic Senate candidate Tammy Baldwin in Wisconsin — she would be the first openly gay woman in the Senate if she wins. Same-sex marriage is on the ballot next month in Maryland, Maine, Washington and Minnesota, and there’s the ongoing issue of the Defense of Marriage Act, which denies same-sex couples — even those married in states where it is legal — many benefits from the federal government.
This was a rich, powerful, savvy crowd, ponying up $400K during the 30-minute live auction to buy commercial time this month in key election states. So Booker came onstage and delivered a stemwinder of a speech linking the fight for gay rights to the historic women’s and civil rights movements. “While the music might be a little bit better, while you all might be dressed a little bit fancier, this room right here has the same flourishing spirit that church basements had when they were planning and talking and plotting about the freedom of our people,” he told them. “We are the ones who must say, like the spirit of our ancestors, ‘I am black and I am here. I am Polish and I am here. I am Irish and I am here. I am Jewish and I am here. I am gay, I am transgender, I am queer and I am here. Get used to it.’ ”
Booker, who promised that New Jersey would legalize gay marriage, said he gets into conversations with friends who don’t understand why he keeps talking about the subject: “I say, ‘I’m not talking about gay rights. I’m talking about human rights. I’m talking about my rights. I’m talking about your rights.’ ”
Also on stage: a passionate Jealous, the NAACP president. The civil-rights group received HRC’s National Equality Award for supporting same-sex marriage. He’s taken flak for the endorsement, but it’s a personal issue for Jealous: In 1966, his parents were forced to marry in D.C. because interracial marriage was banned in Maryland.
“In the more than four years that I’ve been president of the NAACP, I’ve made it very clear that in order to have friends, you’ve got to be a friend,” Jealous said. “As Dr. King once said to a teacher of mine, ‘If you’re comfortable in your coalition, your coalition is too small.’ ”
My emphasis. Sounds like a Balloon Juice motto, doesn’t it?
Donut
Okay, open thread it is, so:
I know it’s Halperin — but this is a really well done piece. Read it, bedwetters, and chill the fuck out:
http://thepage.time.com/2012/10/09/excerpts-from-mark-halperins-interview-with-senior-obama-campaign-officials-at-the-chicago-headquarters/
kilks
It’s a little thing and I don’t know Booker’s record on trans issues, but its nice to see that part included. Too often trans people are overlooked as the tail end of LGB and then T.
some guy
majority of FL, OH, and VA voters think same sex couples should be allowed to marry.
bigots become even smaller minority.
some guy
why do you assume a thread about LGBT rights is an open thread?
gogol's wife
@Donut:
Really interesting, thank you.
some guy
the numbers will only increase, so tagging the GOP as the party of homophobes has no real downside.
lamh35
@some guy: one of the thread tags does say “Open Thread”
jurassicpork
Bay Buchanan recently addressed GOProud, the conservative gay rights group and said Mitt Romney would win without once mentioning gay rights. Mitt Romney said on Twitter that Pat Buchanan was lucky to have such a great kid brother.
SiubhanDuinne
@some guy:
Because it has an Open Thread tag??
arguingwithsignposts
@some guy: Why are you such an asshole?
Birthmarker
Great post, AL. I grew up in B’ham AL, in th 60’s, and it is always interesting to me how the same arguments used then against interracial marriage are now used against gay marriage.
SiubhanDuinne
@jurassicpork: It’s very very wrong of me to have laughed at that, but I did. I know I’m going to fry in hell.
lamh35
Oh good lord this is so stupid. Is this guy for real? WTF!
Pollster Says Obama Can’t Win FL, NC and VA
This is why it’s so easy for people to dismiss polling outfits. Partisan hacks abound.
Roger Moore
@some guy:
Check the categories before complaining. This is “Posted in Gay Rights are Human Rights, Open Thread”. Sounds like an open thread to me.
On the issue of the NAACP supporting gay marriage, I’ll just say that “Separate But Equal” wasn’t OK for schools, and it’s not OK for marriage.
some guy
@lamh35:
ok. didn’t see that. my apologies.
amk
@Donut: Bringing it from a dead thread.
Joy Reid tweet
some guy
@arguingwithsignposts:
Because your mom’s lips were so chapped.
muddy
http://theoatmeal.com/comics/cats_actually_kill
Our kitties are serial murderers, and watch us as we sleep.
Downpuppy
Nowadays, Norma Rae wouldn’t stand a chance.
We’ve completely forgot what’s what & who you can count on.
KG
@lamh35: so, a series of polls showing the race within the margin of error (still), means Obama can’t win? Do these people even hear the words coming out of their mouths?
Valdivia
@Donut:
thanks for that. I see Josh at TPM is saying Romney can now run as a moderate and erase everything, even his abortion positions. I loathe that man!
Hill Dweller
@Valdivia: I don’t even go to TPM any longer. Give it a shot. I promise you’ll be happier for it.
lamh35
3 Different answers by Romney on his Abortion stance in just one day.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ROMNEY_ABORTION?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
lamh35
Obama Will Hold Final Fundraiser
Valdivia
@Hill Dweller:
good idea!
BTW if anyone wants to see what this race is really like on the ground check out the pictures from the rally today in Ohio.
You can find them at The Obama Diary.
That makes me feel better.
lamh35
@lamh35: what’s that they say about broke clocks?
wrb
@lamh35:
They ain’t got no change?
jwb
Sullivan’s Twitterfeed sounds like he’s been getting an earful today from Obama supporters. He’s very defensive right now.
Calouste
@lamh35:
Any pollster who says “I believe that” rather than “my numbers show that” should immediately be barred from the field.
Violet
@amk:
This is so true. I get maybe being concerned and upset for 24 hours, but jeez, it’s been almost a week. Grow up, Democrats. Shit happens. If it isn’t Dems wanting to kill themselves, they want to kill their candidate. At least Republicans are aiming the weapon in the right direction.
Little Boots
and yet nobody is gay here.
jwb
@Valdivia: “I loathe that man!” Josh, Romney or both?
jwb
@Violet: “At least Republicans are aiming the weapon in the right direction.” Yes, I hear myself saying that a lot, although I’ll note that Larison and company are following liberal political strategy in this respect. With any luck the right will soon be as dysfunctional as the left in this respect.
Hill Dweller
@Violet: The Dem freak out is giving Village idiots cover to slobber all over Willard. We should be targeting Willard’s mendacity.
Hill Dweller
@jwb:
Yes
Little Boots
it is true. freak out is a bad idea.
YellowJournalism
I love you, Sally Field. I really idolized her when I was a child. I am also not afraid to admit to loving the movie Soap Dish, in large part because of her, although mostly because of “Milton.”
Capt. Seaweed
The Flying Nun. I’d drink the wine and chew the wafer with her anytime. Looking extra good at 65.
Violet
@Hill Dweller: I don’t understand why the Dems can’t get it together. I mean, they never do, so this week-long meltdown isn’t a surprise, but its very annoying. I don’t get what it is about the Dem psyche that means this is how Dems will respond.
I get what Cole means when he says this is why he hated Democrats when he was a Republican and he hates Democrats even more now. They are just so ridiculous in how they act. Makes you not want to be part of it. People like winners. Act like you’re a winner, even if you had a bad at-bat.
Anya
“While the music might be a little bit better, while you all might be dressed a little bit fancier, this room right here has the same flourishing spirit that church basements had when they were planning and talking and plotting about the freedom of our people,”
Really, Cory? Let’s compare:
Music of the Civil Right’s Movement:
We Shall Overcome by Larry Goldings
This Little Light of Mine, Sam Cooke
Lift Every Voice and Sing, Hank Crawford and Jimmy McGriff
I Wish I Knew (How It Would Feel to Be Free) by Nina Simone
Downpuppy
@Little Boots: Nobody is gay? Most of us are at least cheerful.
It is a little odd though. Most blogs – even kids blogs writing fanfic for animes – have more open gaiety than this one. I mean, it’s the internet for chrissake. Might as well write about Taft buggering Wilson.
Little Boots
this thread needs more doug, and definitely more omnes.
Little Boots
@Downpuppy:
I blame john.
arguingwithsignposts
@some guy: Wow, your insults are as tired and weak as your firebagger trollery.
arguingwithsignposts
@jwb:
I am shocked and saddened … not.
Little Boots
@arguingwithsignposts:
I’m kinda saddened.
he needs to get a grip. romney will not be president.
SiubhanDuinne
@Anya:
We Shall Not Be Moved — Mavis Staples
Valdivia
@jwb:
Ronmey! Josh just annoys me sometimes :)
Anya
@Valdivia: I hope every single person in that crowd, who’s eligible votes.
@Valdivia: TPM is dead to me. Josh Marshal has turned his place into a mini HuffPo.
jwb
@arguingwithsignposts: I’m a bit surprised he’s suddenly so defensive. I think it’s a sign that something important turned today among the petty punditry.
Little Boots
romney will NOT be president. let’s get real.
arguingwithsignposts
@jwb: I’m not surprised. It’s part of his schtick. He always does this when people respond to his dramatics with logic and reason – except in the case of sarah palin’s baby. There’s no explaining that one.
jwb
@Little Boots: What are you doing personally to make sure that Romney will not be president?
Little Boots
@jwb:
good, good point.
i will do what I hate the most, and work the phones to ensure that.
lamh35
Mitt Romney has had 9 DIFFERENT views on abortion since 1994
jwb
@arguingwithsignposts: Well, yes, but with that singular exception of Palin that you noted, he only turns when he’ll lose credibility if he doesn’t turn. Hence, I think something changed today.
Hill Dweller
@Violet: The most annoying part is the polls showed Willard had a really good Thursday and Friday, but his debate bounce started fading almost immediately. We should have been hammering Willard for his debate lies, and end any momentum Willard might have had.
Instead, it’s been nothing but infighting and “liberal” pundits on TV continually harping on the debate and defensively whining about the criticism they’ve been getting. It has also given the sociopaths in the Village plenty of cover to whitewash Willard’s lying and opportunistic transformation into a moderate.
I still have a hard time believing the country will elect a bumbling plutocrat like Willard, but damn if we aren’t doing our best to compound the President’s debate mistake.
Anya
@SiubhanDuinne: How could I forget.
I find the songs of the civil rights movement very inspiring and moving. Love listening to them.
PurpleGirl
@lamh35: Even a broken clock is right twice a day.
Valdivia
@Anya:
I agree that TPM is very HuffPo like.
And yes the rally was a register to vote and vote early event. The O camp is excellent ass using these as get out the vote and canvass events, not just getting people fired up.
Valdivia
@SiubhanDuinne:
been meaning to say hi to you but every time I am in a thread you are gone. So: Hi! :) Hope things are good on your end.
I have to run and get my Shanghai day going, by the time I come back you’all will be asleep. These 12 hour difference gives me a sad.
PsiFighter37
@lamh35: In other news, I tried puking right-side up after drinking too much and discovered that yes, gravity is a real phenomenon.
These GOPers are fucking stupid. Heck, dKos should set up an automated pollster to prove how easy / relatively cheap it is to set up an IVR shop. Fuck, I could do it in my free fucking time if I really wamted.
PF37 + 12 and starting detox (so -2 coconut waters)
Mark S.
@lamh35:
I was about to comment on Mitt’s new stance on abortion. He may not propose any pro-life legislation, but he sure as shit won’t veto any if a teabagger Congress passed it. He’ll also pack the Court with as many Scalias as he can find.
Violet
@jwb: But did he turn today? I thought he posted yet another multi-paragraph screed about how Obama was “vain” and didn’t “deign” to defend his presidency and calling Obama lazy.
If something changed, which way did it change? Who changed?
RinaX
@Hill Dweller:
It’s clear now that it was never really about the debate. The Obama campaign had given the professional carpers very little to complain about, so they were forced to actually focus on Romney. This has given them the opportunity to do all the bellyaching they’ve been dying to do since the summer, and by god, they’re not going to give up without a fight.
Violet
@Hill Dweller: Yep. Agree completely. I get if Democrats and supposed left-leaning pundits were upset and demoralized immediately after the debate and even up to and including 24 hours afterwards. But after that, it’s sack up time. Regroup, start hammering Romney on anything. Talk about how everyone has an off day, next time will be better, look forward not back, etc., etc. Do Democrats not play competitive sports or something? It’s like they’ve never watched a post-game interview after a loss.
gloryb
@PurpleGirl: even a blind squirrel funds a nut every now and then (couldn’t help myself).
PurpleGirl
@gloryb: LOL
jwb
@Violet: I don’t know for sure, because I no longer read him. Too much melodrama for me. I just catch his tweets occasionally in my feed of various pundits. His tone doesn’t sound like he’s yet turned. He’s very defensive. But the very fact that he’s so defensive tonight (compared to earlier) suggests that people have now gotten under his skin. In the past, that’s a sign that he’s going to start walking back.
Violet
@jwb: Yes, that’s true. After he called Ryan and his Plan “Serious and Sober” or some crap, he adopted an ever more defensive tone as he walked back this or that part of it and eventually had to admit it was crap. But then praised Ryan for trying or something.
J R in WVa
We watched about 25 minutes of the debate, and turned it off because we couldn’t stand another moment of Rmoney’s lies.
The man can’t tell a lie without 3 tells, and no one on his campaign has the balls to tell him so. He was agonizing to watch, and Obama couldn’t believe what he was hearing, nor could he decide on the fly how to deal with 98% mendacity from his opponent on national TV.
But since that evening, the commercial we’ve been seeing calls Willard’s campaign a lie, and we’ve seen it over and over.
So next debate, be prepared for President Obama to have a whole set of replies in his pocket to make it clear to everyone that Rmoney is lying again. That won’t provide Willard with any more bounce than a dead cat falling 57 stories.
Rita R.
@Donut:
The key takeaway from that about the debate was this:
OBAMA ADVISER 2: Look, I’m not saying the debate didn’t have an impact. I’m saying the battleground states, it’s impact was minimal.
HALPERIN: But why would it be minimal in the battleground states?
OBAMA ADVISER 2: Because they’re seeing more and they’re seeing a much different campaign than the rest of the country is, as you know. They’re seeing the candidates more. They’re seeing media. They’re seeing persuasion. It’s just, you know, that’s no secret that we’ve always done better in battleground polls.
Robert Hagedorn
For something relevant: Google First Scandal. When you get there, go to the top of the page and click on “Welcome University…” Please note: this website you reach will be deleted on November 1, 2012.