I had no doubt then and I don't have any doubt today that President Obama is a champion for equal rights.
In case you have not heard, after some 15 years, there was finally a Senate Judiciary Committee hearings on the proposed "Respect for Marriage Act" that would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) passed in 1996 and signed into law by former President Clinton.
Nadler Hails Obama’s Endorsement Of the Respect for Marriage Act
BROOKLYN — On Tuesday, Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Brooklyn/Manhattan), the author and lead sponsor of the Respect for Marriage Act, which would repeal the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), lauded President Barack Obama’s direct endorsement of his legislation. Nadler is the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution and vice-chair of the LGBT Equality Caucus.
“I am thrilled by President Obama’s endorsement today of the Respect for Marriage Act, legislation which I introduced in order to repeal the discriminatory and cruel Defense of Marriage Act once and for all,” said Nadler.
“The president’s unprecedented decision to support this timely legislation sends a powerful message to members of Congress and to the American people that now is the moment to dispense with DOMA and remove this ugly blight from our legal code. The president has consistently supported repeal of DOMA and, with today’s announcement, in advance of tomorrow’s landmark Senate hearing, he has taken yet another step to make this a reality.
On behave of President Obama, Press Secretary Jay Carney announced yesterday...
Partial Transcript:
I can tell you that the president has long called for a legislative repeal of the so-called Defense of Marriage Act, which continues to have a real impact on the lives of real people - our families, friends and neighbors. He is proud to support the Respect for Marriage Act, introduced by Senator Feinstein and Congressman Nadler, which will take them off the books ones and for all.
The Democrats are definitely on the attack dissecting the Republican's hypocrisy using former President Ronald Reagan to accuse them of their dishonest meme of being fiscally responsible while they hold the country hostage fighting against raising the debt ceiling, which by the way was raised some 18 times by none other than Reagan himself, in the process trying to denigrating the full faith and credit of the United States just so that they can hurt President Obama politically.
Dire warnings on debt limit hark back to Reagan:
Several prominent congressional Republicans have dismissed the Obama administration’s claim that the country would face dire consequences if Congress does not vote to raise the federal limit on government borrowing by August.
But an icon of the Republican Party – former president Ronald Reagan – warned Congress during his presidency that a failure to raise the debt limit could also cause a financial catastrophe.
In a November 1983 letter to then-Senate Majority Leader Howard H. Baker Jr. (R-Tenn.), Reagan warned that without a higher debt ceiling, the country could be forced to default for the first time in its history.
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Audio of the Former Republican President Ronald Reagan:
Transcript:
Congress consistently brings the government to the edge of default before facing its responsibility. This brinkmanship threatens the holders of government bonds and those who rely on Social Security and veterans benefits. Interest rates would skyrocket, instability would occur in financial markets, and the federal deficit would soar. The United States has a special responsibility to itself and the world to meet its obligations. It means we have a well earned reputation for reliability and credibility, two things that sets us apart from much of the world.
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First Lady Michelle Obama Announces Nationwide Commitments to Provide Millions of People Access to Healthy, Affordable Food in Underserved Communities:
First Lady Michelle Obama joined leaders from major retailers, foundations and small businesses today to announce commitments that will provide access to healthy, affordable food to millions of people in underserved communities. The commitments from SUPERVALU, Walgreens, Walmart and regional retailers will include opening or expanding over 1,500 stores to serve communities throughout the country that currently do not have access to fresh produce and other healthy foods. These stores estimate that they will create tens of thousands of jobs and serve approximately 9.5 million people in these communities throughout the country. Currently, 23.5 million Americans – including 6.5 million children – live in low-income areas that lack stores likely to sell affordable and healthy foods. Studies have shown that limited access to healthy food choices can lead to poor diets, higher levels of obesity and other diet-related diseases.
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Pictures courtesy of public domain (AP and Reuters Pictures)
US President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia and Sasha walk to St John's Church across from the White House on Sunday, July 17, 2011
The First Family watching the Women World Cup Final soccer game between the U.S. and Japan. The score was a 2-2 tie but the US lost the game on penalty shoot-out. :-(