Time to unite and get rid of the divider (Clark Editorial on PlanetOut)

[bicentennial_baby]

President George W. Bush promised us that he would be "a uniter, not a divider." But for the last three years, he's divided us by demonizing the gay rights movement. And in his State of the Union speech, President Bush served notice that he will use the struggle of gay Americans to gain equal rights as a wedge issue during the general election.

It is wrong to play politics with civil rights. We must always stand by the principle that all Americans should be treated equally no matter what their race, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. If I am the Democratic nominee, I will stand up to the president, and as president, I will ensure that the GLBT community is treated equally under the law.

The right wing says that the GLBT community wants special rights. But that is not true. Gay Americans want the same rights that all Americans enjoy. Among them, the right to live free from discrimination and hate crimes. I support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act and extending federal hate crimes legislation to cover anti-gay violence.

And it is high time for the GLBT community to enjoy the right to form personal, legal relationships that confer benefits and obligations. When it comes to protecting partnership rights, the private sector is far ahead of the federal government. Major corporations allow employees to designate a domestic partner as a beneficiary of health and other employment benefits. The federal government should, too.

more:

http://www.planetout.com/pno/news/feature.html?sernum=798

[lastknowngood]

1. Good artical I'm glad to see the General speaking up

he seams to be a good guy with some media bias against him at this point. I've heard that the Clintons have abandoned him, don't know if is true. Have you heard anything?

[DIBL]

3. Load of baloney

The Clitons never publicly backed Clark and the rumors of them supporting him were just that, rumors. This latest 'breaking story' about them abandoning Clark was pushed by Chris Matthews who seems to be totally obsessed with the Clintons. He grilled Clark about the C's in his 1-1 interview last year. I suspect that Tweety came up with this new theory of his because Clinton said a few positive things about Kerry last week.

Ha... Tweety is so simple minded. I don't know if he's just stupid or if he likes to sensationalize things to grab headlines. He literally changes his mind about everything within a matter of days. He's the epitome of what I detest about politicians and the media.

[lastknowngood]

5. Thanks for the clarity although I do believe the Clintons

gave him a little encouragement. I like the general and really like the Clintons, I do hope they remain out of the frey.

[Auntie Bush]

2. Clark is such a special unique person and our nation needs him.

[Doctor_J]

4. I love this guy

and I am straight.

It's not only gay rights that he walks the walk on - it's also racial issues and gender issues. The guy is a genuine goddamned liberal, with 4 stars.

[krkaufman]

6. So refreshing to hear someone talking unity

It's so bloody refreshing to hear someone talking about unity, across the board. (GLBT equal rights, and even bridging the divide between left and right. I'm tired of the hatred, coming from both sides.)

[k_blagburn]

7. 14th admendment

says "equal proteciton under the law". The General will ensure this is followed.

[The Traveler]

8. Clark is for real

I'm a Clark supporter ... still hopeful but not optimistic he will win the nomination. The funny thing is, as one who was familiar with his reputation before he wore stars, nothing he is doing now in at all inconsistant with what I heard about the man almost 20 years ago. I therefore find allegations he is a closet conservative rather ironic ... for years the buzz on Clark was that he was too liberal in his viewpoint. Democracts suspect him because he wore a uniform for 34 years. A lot of military people suspect him because he has a brain and a heart. Seems unfair, somehow, but that's life.

But ... I would rather see Democrats be overly suspicious than gullible. Otherwise, they might nominate a skull and bones rich kid who married into bigger money and has questionable ties to various paying customers. **evil grin**

Whoever wins the nomination will have my vote.

But only Clark and Dean have proven themselves worthy of my loyalty. They're on the front line. Kerry "leads from the rear" ... but hey, plagiarism of other candidates' speeches is a high form a praise, eh?

[maddezmom]

9. thanks for posting :)

GO Wes!