Here's something queer. President Obama spent 20 minutes of his Saturday night talking to gay group Human Rights Campaign and their well-heeled supporters. Some were happy to hear the President vow to end Don't Ask, Don't Tell. Others weren't. Understandably...


The thrust of Obama's speech dealt with the Clinton-era "Don't Ask, Don't Tell," which is basically an edict that says gay soldiers need to stay in the closet. It's an important issue, yes, but just one of many gay rights matters that need to be addressed. But, alas, Obama's speech and lack of action amount to little more than, as one critic said, a regurgitation of campaign promises. No surprise there. But then NBC News reporter John Harwood dropped this maybe bombshell:

Barack Obama is doing well with 90% or more of Democrats so the White House views this opposition as really part of the "internet left fringe" Lester. And for a sign of how seriously the White House does or doesn't take this opposition, one adviser told me today those bloggers need to take off their pajamas, get dressed and realize that governing a closely divided country is complicated and difficult.

There you have it: the White House knows they're doing well among Democratic voters, so they think gay activists should simply be patient and stop their griping. Now, there's something kinda rational about that, in a backward way: the country has oodles of problems on its plate and all Americans should throw their weight behind the recovery attempts. Of course such a request drives a nail through the rhetorical heart of millions of people's dreams, but, you know, it's for the greater good!

But, such an explanation still doesn't explain why the President made the speech in the first place. Is it simply because he was invited? Was it to maintain gay face? Did he have the hankering for some politically-expedient, $1,000-a-plate dinner? Or perhaps he wanted to quell the angry gay masses so that he can get to work on his master plan — whatever that may be...