Legal Commentary

NYTimes Criticizes Obama On DOMA

By Big Tent Democrat

NYTimes Editorial:

The Obama administration, which came to office promising to protect gay rights but so far has not done much, actually struck a blow for the other side last week. It submitted a disturbing brief in support of the Defense of Marriage Act, which is the law that protects the right of states to not recognize same-sex marriages and denies same-sex married couples federal benefits. The administration needs a new direction on gay rights.

. . . The administration has had its hands full with the financial crisis, health care, Guantánamo Bay and other pressing matters. In times like these, issues like repealing the marriage act can seem like a distraction — or a political liability. But busy calendars and political expediency are no excuse for making one group of Americans wait any longer for equal rights.

Read the whole thing. It was disturbing to see apologias for this distressing action by the Obama Administration featured in many of the leading "progressive" blogs. The Times gets it right. The Obama DOJ has been incredibly disappointing to date.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on June 16, 2009 (boomark / email).