In the same vein as the National Republican Congressional Committee claiming on its web site that the economy is robust, this shout out to the former president is messed up on so many levels:
The RJC really is over the far-right edge. Look at this announcement:
Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks announced today that Senator Norm Coleman (MN) has agreed to join the RJC as a consultant and strategic advisor. In this capacity, Coleman will help the RJC as it plans for the future and looks at ways to continue its historic record of growth and success.Keep dreaming, Matt. The RJC blog also touts the work of mama's boy Jonah Goldberg:...RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, "We are thrilled and honored to have Norm Coleman join us at the RJC at this critical time. We look forward to having the benefit of his experience and wise counsel to help the RJC plot its future course. We are confident that in a few months Senator Coleman will return to his seat in the Senate, but until that time, we are eager for him to travel across the country on our behalf and to be an important voice within the organization."
Jonah Goldberg's article today is called "What Obama Brings to Conservatives". He makes the case that while the Obama presidency marks the end of "the legacy of official discrimination and racism" in this country, it also "undermines the argument that American racism is so endemic that a system of racial quotas must remain a permanent fixture of the political and legal landscape."Man, the Kool-Aid is strong.
What are these folks smoking?
Dear President Bush: We all promised not to forget 9.11. During trying and difficult times, you, nevertheless, remained a beacon for that promise. We thank you for remembering that, as Commander in Chief, the president's Number One Mission is to protect our nation. All the freedoms and opportunities we enjoy as Americans ultimately depend on that security. As you leave office, it seems appropriate -- and warranted -- to remember and thank you for affording us security for so many years.
The RJC really is over the far-right edge. Look at this announcement:
Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks announced today that Senator Norm Coleman (MN) has agreed to join the RJC as a consultant and strategic advisor. In this capacity, Coleman will help the RJC as it plans for the future and looks at ways to continue its historic record of growth and success.Keep dreaming, Matt. The RJC blog also touts the work of mama's boy Jonah Goldberg:...RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks said, "We are thrilled and honored to have Norm Coleman join us at the RJC at this critical time. We look forward to having the benefit of his experience and wise counsel to help the RJC plot its future course. We are confident that in a few months Senator Coleman will return to his seat in the Senate, but until that time, we are eager for him to travel across the country on our behalf and to be an important voice within the organization."
Jonah Goldberg's article today is called "What Obama Brings to Conservatives". He makes the case that while the Obama presidency marks the end of "the legacy of official discrimination and racism" in this country, it also "undermines the argument that American racism is so endemic that a system of racial quotas must remain a permanent fixture of the political and legal landscape."Man, the Kool-Aid is strong.
Note From Autumn: This is a piece from the SLDN, indicating that Don't Ask, Don't Tell should be repealed within the first year of President Obama's administration. The attached thumbnail/PDF file is for a press release -- it's not the same text as this op-ed, but goes over similar ground. Posted by permission.
"Don't Ask, Don't Tell" 15 Years Later
By Kevin Nix, SLDN
www.sldn.org
Some of the conventional wisdom circling around Washington these days is that President Obama shouldn't-or wouldn't-- touch the political hot potato that is "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" during his first year or two in office. They point to the shaky beginning of the Clinton presidency when he took up the issue of gays in the military. What the naysayers are forgetting is that 2009 is very different than 1993.
Public opinion has shifted seismically. Fifteen years ago, the LGBT community enjoyed significantly less acceptance than it does today. 
Recent polls-including those done by ABC News/Washington Post and CNN/Opinion Research Corp.-- indicate more than 75 percent of Americans think gays and lesbians should serve openly in the armed forces. Poll numbers don't get much better than this and don't get this good without some support by conservatives, Republicans, and even evangelicals.
Attitudes within the military are changing, too. Go check out the op-ed ("Second Thoughts on Gays In the Military") in the New York Times by retired Army General John Shalikashvili. Compelling stuff coming from the chairman of the Joint Chiefs during the Clinton Administration. Darren Manzella, an Army Veteran Sergeant who served as an openly gay soldier in Iraq to both his colleagues and command but was discharged under DADT, has also discussed repeatedly the generational gap when it comes to the military's acceptance of gay and lesbian Americans.
Beyond changing attitudes within the military rank and file and the broader public at large, consider also that Pres. Clinton didn't consult early with the Joint Chiefs and Pentagon when trying to incorporate gays and lesbians. Wisely, President Obama has already consulted-and will continue to consult-with Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Pentagon on repeal of 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell.' This president "gets" that the military is integral to repeal of DADT and successful implementation of a non-discrimination law.
Our bottom line: The environment-including public attitudes, the partisan makeup of the White House and Congress, and the deft skill of our new commander-in-chief-gives us reason for practical, if cautious, optimism for repeal sooner rather than later. The question is not if but when.
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network (SLDN) thinks repeal can get done not in the first 100 days, obviously, but sometime this year. Let's hope so. "Don't ask, Don't Tell" is the only federal law that requires employers to fire people for being openly gay. And the strength and caliber of our military is disadvantaged because 12,500 highly qualified men and women have been kicked out because of their sexual orientation.
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