Guess What

I hadn't intended to post on this today -- my outrage quotient is pretty much used up, at least I thought it was, but it just doesn't stop from these bozos.

Yeah, the much-ballyhooed "administrative memorandum" regarding government benefits for same-sex partners of government employees was just as little as we had aexpected. From NYT:

The package of domestic partnership benefits that President Obama established for federal workers on Wednesday drew the loudest protests from some of those it was intended to help, gay men and lesbians who criticized the move as too timid. . . .

But several of the nation’s most prominent gay and lesbian political leaders quickly attacked the president for failing to extend full health care benefits to the same-sex partners of federal workers, questioning the administration’s explanation that it is precluded from doing so by the Defense of Marriage Act, which Mr. Obama had vowed to repeal during his presidential campaign.

Read the article -- it's pretty obvious that the administration is trying to make something out of nothing on this -- the "administrative memorandum" (which, mind you, is not an executive order and is of limited duration) doesn't actually do anything new.

And the remarks -- ah, yes, what would an evening with the president be without more promises?

John Aravosis picks up some of the reaction. Briefly, it looks like HRC, after criticizing Obama for the DoJ motion, has jumped back on the bandwagon. SLDN points out that the memorandum does not apply to all federal employees, because of DADT (which Obama has also pledge to repeal -- someday).

Andhere's a very interesting bit from Lambda Legal on the "can't provide health benefits under existing law" bullshit:

Lambda Legal is representing Karen Golinskii, a federal employee who works for the judicial branch and who is seeking health insurance coverage for her same-sex spouse. A federal judge has already issued an administrative decision in that matter, concluding that, within the existing rules, the federal government can choose to provide health insurance for same-sex partners. We think they should, and we'll keep fighting for Karen and her spouse -- and for all federal employees.

And this, from Rep. Gerald Nadler:

Today’s announcement, while a fine first step, falls dramatically short of what federal employees need, and, of course, does not at all provide the LGBT community the recognition and equal treatment under the law that are long overdue. To many of my constituents, today’s memorandum unfortunately feels less like real progress for civil rights, and more like a reactive effort to reassure gay and lesbian Americans and their supporters who were recently angered by the Justice Department’s offensive and unnecessary arguments in a case challenging DOMA.

This is what we should be hearing from every Democrat in Congress.

Lurleen at Pam's House Blend has posted, among other things, the text of Obama's remarks. I like this especially:

Hundreds of Fortune 500 companies already offer such benefits not only because it's the right thing to do, but because they recognize that it helps them compete for and retain the best possible talent -- and we need top talent serving their country right now more than ever.

Excuse me, Mr. President? How many mission critical personnel have been drummed out of the military since you took office under DADT? You remember DADT -- another one you promised to repeal. Somehow you seem to be enforcing it zealously. Did I miss your 180 on that one?

Here's the video: