"It is not enough to look back in wonder at how far we have come; those who came before us did not strike a blow against injustice only so that we would allow injustice to fester in our time. That means removing the barriers of prejudice and misunderstanding that still exist in America."
- Democratic Party Platform, 2008
On Monday, November 9, 2009, on Americablog and Americablog Gay, John Aravosis & Joe Sudbay, launched a boycott (temporary hopefully) against the Democratic National Commitee, Organizing For America, and the Obama re-election campaign. They have been joined by:
Daily Kos
Jane Hamsher (FireDogLake)
Dan Savage (The Stranger & Slog)
Michelangelo Signorile (Sirius OutQ & Gist)
David Mixner
Andy Towle & Michael Goff (TowleRoad)
Paul Sousa (Founder, Equal Rep)
Pam Spaulding (Pam's House Blend)
Robin Tyler (ED, Equality Campaign, Inc.)
Bill Browning (Bilerico Project)
Their reasoning:
President Obama promised to be a "fierce advocate" for LGBT Americans. But while making modest progress on a scant few issues, on the major campaign promises made to our community, the President and the Democratic party have failed to keep their commitments.
There has been little, if any, pressure from the White House for votes on the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA). The administration continues to send mixed signals on the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell (DADT). And we've been told not to expect the repeal of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) to even be considered until President Obama's second term. In the last two weeks alone, we were angered that the Obama administration continued to defend DOMA in the courts -- last June, the administration's lawyers even compared loving gay relationships to incest and pedophilia -- and we were saddened that the White House and the Democratic party refused to help us defeat anti-gay ballot initiatives in Maine and Washington state. LGBT Americans, our families, and our friends kept our promise at the ballot box, we now expect President Obama to keep his in the White House.
Until the Democratic Congress passes, and President Obama signs, legislation enacting ENDA, repealing DADT, and repealing DOMA, we ask you to join us in pledging to postpone contributions to the Democratic National Committee, Organizing for America, and the Obama campaign.
I don't usually do this kind of thing, join boycotts or promote them, yet I have been feeling such frustration over the national Dems and the Obama administration's handling of gay issues (beginning with the inauguration) I just had to do something.
Last Friday I posted on my blog, Dubious MindBomb Internet Radio, my feelings and concerns over the boycott being called for by Americablog's John Aravosis and Joe Sudbay. John and Joe (who was raised in Maine) worked tirelessly on Maine's No on 1 campaign! They have blogged about it constantly and raised thousands in support of "No on 1" (through Americablog and Americablog Gay). They even live-blogged from Portland on election night
The failure of Obama (or his administration) to even mention support for the civil rights effort in Maine and the DNC's failure to support it financially or to even it mention it in get out the vote e-mails (sent out on election day), were the final straws for them and should be for us! Unfortunately, there is much, much more...
I would love for you all to take a look at it, follow the links & weigh it carefully, and then join me in signing the pledge not to support (temporarily) the DNC, OFA, or the Obama campaign financially.
Turn off the gAyTM? I say, "Yes"!
This was a hard step for me to take...My blog is there, primarily, in support of my Internet Radio Station, "Dubious MindBomb", and not political action.
So please give it a read and let's stop the national politicians from taking our money with one hand and slapping us in the face with the other!
Read my full post at:
http://dubiousmindbomb.blogspo...
Sign the Pledge here: http://www.dontaskdontgive.com
Read the boycott FAQ:
http://gay.americablog.com/200...
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