Update: Thanks all in the comment box. Here's a cartoon that was brought to my attention from the WaPo:
Times Square has been the scene of much protest in the past few days. Over the last week, a collection of anti-war groups such as Gold Star Families for Peace and United for Peace and Justice NYC have gathered in Times Square to read the names of American soldiers, Iraqi civilians and coalition forces who have lost their lives in the Iraq War. Today, these groups were joined by other groups protesting General Pace's recent comments- in his "Tim Hardaway" moment- denigrating our country's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) servicemen and women by calling all LGBT folk "immoral".
The main group present at the anti- General Pace protests today was ACT UP. Veteran gay rights activists Larry Kramer and Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum were also present. Proudly standing in solidarity with the protestors was my personal hero, Gay & Lesbian Task Force President Matt Foreman. Video below:
Matt Foreman, along with Rabbi Sharon Kleinbaum, were arrested in the civil disobedience action. Their commitment shines through in their actions. I applaud both individuals for standing up SO clearly in the face of hate!
Major props especially to the Gay & Lesbian Task Force on this. On the national level, they are our only true progressive queer representatives. Others may differ, but I view the nation's largest gay rights group (The Human Rights Campaign) as the DLC of the gay rights movement. I've never forgiven HRC for endorsing Lieberman both in the primary and in the general election in 2006. They did this even while DEMOCRAT Ned Lamont made Marriage Equality a prominent part of his campaign. Besides that, I have always noticed that the Task Force is a much more grassroots-positive organization than HRC. Nevertheless, HRC has nailed Dem. Prez candidates Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama for evading the question of whether or not homosexuality is immoral.
The funniest thing about those two avoiding the issue is that were outshone tremendously by- gasp- a Republican who released a flat-out rebuttal to General Pace:
"I respectfully but strongly disagree with the chairman's view that homosexuality is immoral."
- Senator John Warner (R-VA)
I've been leaning towards Obama, but after this incident I have to say I'm leaning Edwards, who immediately denounced the comments made by General Pace:
BLITZER: Let's talk about General Peter Pace, the chairman of the joint chiefs. He suggested today, his own personal opinion, homosexuality, he said, was immoral. As a result, don't change the don't ask, don't tell policy.
First of all, in your opinion, is homosexuality immoral?
EDWARDS: I don't -- don't share that view. And I would go -- go further than that, Wolf. I think the don't ask, don't tell is not working. And as president of the United States I would change that policy.
BLITZER: Is the don't ask, don't tell policy immoral?
EDWARDS: I think the don't ask, don't tell policy is wrong. It's not working. I think what it's done, effectively, is kept us from having some of the most talented people we could have in our military. It's caused -- caused more problems than it's solved. And it ought to be changed.
This is 2nd time recently that Edwards has spoken his mind directly and swiftly to us progressives and to America as a whole, the first time of course being his opposition to the Fox/Nevada debate kerfuffle.
The pressure continues to mount on General Pace, and regardless of what happens, the outrage generated by his comments (no thanks to Mrs. Clinton or Mr. Obama) is furthering the momentum against Don't Ask Don't Tell.
Update : From the lair of Hillaryland:
Well I've heard from a number of my friends and I've certainly clarified with them any misunderstanding that anyone had, because I disagree with General Pace completely. I do not think homosexuality is immoral.
RANDOM
Some Nice little Quotes I would like to share with you all from our Prez candidates that was published in gay newsmagazine The Advocate :
"I'm the cutest candidate, so I've got the gays, but tell Bruce Weber I'm not posing shirtless by a lake." - John Edwards
I Say: You ARE a sexy beast Mr. Edwards, and I've held that opinion since 2004, but another quote from you makes me certain that I have no reason to give you (or any other presidential candidate) any direct donations: You stated recently that it was a "jump for me to get to gay marriage. I am not there yet." You said that this was a "great conflict for <me>" and that you continue to struggle with the question internally. I admire your struggle, but the time of internal struggle is over. We've been fighting and we've been dying for our basic rights. There's an external fight grander than your internal squabble Mr. Edwards.
"I've changed my positions on gays, abortion and stem cells. When will these Jesus freaks be happy?" - Mitt Romney
I Say: Changing your erm, "heathen religion". You know those Jesus freaks hate mormons.
"The next damn time someone asks me what race I am, I'm going to say Mariah Carey." - Barak Obama
I Say: And it would be an accurate comparison to a fellow black/white biracial american. Don't you let those haters get to you Obama!
"What's a good coded Biblical phrase for 'Nuke the Arabs" - Sam Brownback
I Say: Ahem.... gotta love the Republican Party, they're really all about diversity.
"I told Chelsea she can't come out until my second term"
I Say: WTF?
"I'm for gay marriage, but the gays are ignoring me. What do I have to do- blow George Michael?" - Dennis Kucinich
I Say: No not at all, a handjob works just as well.