While giving a speech to Netroots Nation Bill Clinton was interrupted by a fellow gay who asked if he would call for the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and DOMA. He didn't appreciate being interrupted but he did attempt to explain both those pieces of legislation and why he signed them into law.
Some are calling his answers bullsh*t while some fully believe the former president and are grateful for his candidness. I think it's probably a mixture of both. I do think he suupports the gays and didn't necessarily want those pieces of legislation, but he also saw that it would be politically good for him to sign them.
What do you guys think? Is his explanation satisfactory?
– Andy
Having watched the clip, I’ll admit that I was mad as hell when Clinton agreed to DADT and DOMA, but I also remember the political climate at the time. He stated the facts, at least as I remember them. His hands were tied on both issues, and he didn’t have much of a choice, but he did try to do as little damage as possible. The thing that pissed me off the most, though, was letting the “don’t pursue” measure drop from the legislation. I was slated to go into the military back in ’84 or ’85, but that’s also the time I came out, and I refused to lie about myself. I’ll always wonder how different my life would be had I pursued that path.
Would you please stop using “gay” as a noun? I’m not “a gay.” I’m a gay person, and most gay people don’t need to identify themselves by any single characteristic.
Seeing DADT as poor implementation and DOMA as damage control makes a LOT of sense. I think Obama is facing similar issues in that he must gain favor with Congress to implement vital Health Care and other policy FIRST. I also do not think he can speak as freely about his intentions while in office. Obama has campaigned heavily for gay rights and, like Clinton, I think if the gay community supports Obama in Congress that he’ll have the leeway necessary to push through Gay Rights legislation.
Why is Bill being giving the fucking benefit of the doubt but you guys are always posting bullshit about Obama not doing enough? Like he isn’t having to think about whether his choices are or aren’t gonna politically help or hinder him?
This was the same kid who OUTed Mark Foley and his Capital Hill Page scandal a few years back! Lane Hudson seems to be an opportunist at best! Always trying to make headlines!
Clinton’s “hands were tied and he didn’t have much of a choice”? Bullshit! Let me remind you what a politician does: he tells you what you want to hear in order to get your vote, then after he wins election, he stabs you in the back and abandons you. The most powerful man in the country could do the right thing and sign a bad law out of existence, but they are too beholden to their party and all the money donors that put their sorry asses in office. The last real man to inhabit the White House was Harry Truman, who did what had to be done in order to end World War II.
isn’t DODT = Gays cant serve in the military?
what the whole point of it? if there was no DODT and somebody wanted to serve in the military, they know they can’t do openly, then they would serve secretly. if they are found out – well, then it’s up to commanders. BUT with DODT, it’s certain u cant serve and if u r found out, u WILL get discharged. it’s just legalizing discrimination.
I’m a bit young to remember this, but still. The events of then effect us now, and honestly I’m rather shocked. I didn’t realize how badly it had effected people. But then, I guess the ‘new generation’ don’t look into this stuff that much. It’s astounding, really. But I’ve faced DADT a few times, and it’s irritating that, when your recruiter catches you kissing your boyfriend right before your interview and tells you you shouldn’t bother joining, you’re essentially left being unable to serve your country. So fucking frustrating.
I think the larger point to gather from this and what Americans fail to understand, is that the President is just one person and cannot arbitrarily change policies or has to take into consideration what effects policy changes will have. Our government is set up so the Congress and president balance each other out. Can you imagine how much worse a state our country would be in if Bush were allowed to do whatever he wanted? 94 brought that balance heavily in Right Wing favor. So I do believe Clinton here.
I also believe in Obama and that he wants to change these policies, but he has to build the structure under the policies to ensure they are lasting. Meanwhile, we in the gay community continue to hout and cry that he’s not doing enough, while it is e who continue to not do enough. We want everyone else to go out and do the hard work for us instead of beating the streets ourselves to fight for our own rights. We need to get organized and we really want change….
And lastly, keep your damn marriage, Civil Unions for all, is the way to go.
Dumb A**, never kiss in public. Any Marine will tell you that rule first, Sir!