We know plenty of people are upset that Obama's justice department is in court fighting to continue enforcement of the federal Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) -- which he promised to fight against during his presidential campaign. DOMA forbids gay couples and their children from receiving any of the federal benefits of marriage, even if the parents have been legally married in their home state.
And we know that similarly, while Obama campaigned against Don't Ask Don't Tell (DADT) anti-gay discrimination in the US military, he steadfastly enforces it at every opportunity now. He has famously cooperated in firing expert linguists -- the people with the skills to get cooperation from local civilians, suspects, and timely intelligence about possible threats to our country -- because these linguists were gay.
Still, we know a great president's greatest power is his "bully pulpit" -- and particularly for Obama, in his leadership and ability to inspire. Obama can't instantly change laws with the stroke of a pen. But words can do so much more. Below the fold, Obama can be found speaking up about gay marriage.
Under the current DOMA policy Obama's justice department is defending, when a gay parent dies in an accident, there's a greater than 50% chance their children will become orphans under federal law - no Social Security benefits, no inheritance, and lucky if they're allowed to say goodbye or to visit the surviving parent in the hospital. Under the current federal definition of marriage, any gay couple was already "single parent" - even if they flew to Massachusetts or Iowa to get legally married.
One speech of 30 seconds about these new orphans would put every politician who claims to be protecting "the children" on notice. It would take the kind of courage Evann Orleck-Jetter, 12 year old daughter of gay parents, showed the Senate in Vermont in April. Her speech tipped the balance that let Vermont override a governor's veto and finally let her parents marry.
So just imagine what effect a speech from the famously articulate US president -- the most powerful person in the world, and probably in its history -- would do!
Amazingly, the day after I pointed this out in a Daily Kos comment about "Obama's Orphans", Obama obliged by breaking his silence on the surge of legal gay marriage in Iowa and other states - with a comment 30 seconds long.
You'll need to skip ahead to 3:42, where Obama's comment begins and continues to the end of the clip.
I think we can agree that Obama's simple message -- apparently the only statement that he has made about gay families since his inauguration -- perfectly complements his Justice Department's DOMA and DADT reversals, demonstrating in all necessary detail what his administration is prepared to do to protect these families and their children.