kokonut,
This isn't a reliable source of information as it's a blog of a wanna be. It's not credible. As a news reporter, if it's not coming from the source and reported through the media, it's not credible. The only thing above that is the actual statement from the source, such as The White House. This is only someone's personal opinion.
People, if we're quoting someone or a website, it needs to be factual and unedited for credibility. Your own credibility is called into account and I don't think I know anyone who wants to be known as a gossip and spreading stuff found on the Internet that's not factual. I'd be out of a job if I did that and my paper would lose credibility. That's not a good thing.
How about this?
From the White House:
"He supports full civil unions and federal rights for LGBT couples and opposes a constitutional ban on same-sex marriage. He supports repealing Don’t Ask Don’t Tell in a sensible way that strengthens our armed forces and our national security, and also believes that we must ensure adoption rights for all couples and individuals, regardless of their sexual orientation."
Civil Rights
The official statement released along with the memorandum itself told the sort of story that moved him to sign it, and also announced his support for the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act of 2009.
The White House - Blog Post - ?Wrongs that We Intend to Right Today?
"The President and First Lady hosted the first-of-its-kind LGBT Pride Month reception at the White House..."
The White House - Blog Post - Celebrating LGBT Pride Month
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT THE SIGNING OF A
PRESIDENTIAL MEMORANDUM
REGARDING FEDERAL BENEFITS AND NON-DISCRIMINATION
The White House - Press Office - Remarks by the President at the Signing of a Presidential Memorandum Regarding Federal Benefits and Non-Discrimination
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release March 13, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
"Q Robert, there was a piece this morning about the fact that same-sex spouses of federal employees are barred from health care coverage because -- by the Defense of Marriage Act. Since the President would like to see a legislative repeal of that law, what is he prepared to do about it?
MR. GIBBS: Well, obviously I saw the story, and the President's position remains the same. The President would work with Congress in order to -- not just on this but on other ideas -- institute what he promised he'd do in the campaign.
I don't have a specific update on where the legislation is."
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 3/13/09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secrectary
__________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 6, 2009
RESS BRIEFING BYM
SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON
AND PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
"Q Does the President or the White House have a reaction to the Governor of Maine signing a same-sex marriage bill?
MR. GIBBS: No, I think the President's position on same-sex marriages has been talked about and discussed.
Q He opposes same-sex marriage.
MR. GIBBS: He supports civil unions.
Q Does that mean that he's going to say or do anything against what the citizens of Maine --
MR. GIBBS: Not that I'm aware of. I think the President believes this is an issue that's best addressed by the states.
Yes, sir."
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5-6-09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
______________________________________
For Immediate Release May 12, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Okay. And the second question on a completely different topic -- the President opposes same-sex marriage, but he supports giving same-sex couples the same rights as married people.
MR. GIBBS: And benefits.
Q Same rights and benefits. What's your response to critics of his policy who say this is exactly separate but equal?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I would point you to the any number of times that he was asked this during the campaign and addressed it.
Q I don't think he was ever asked is this separate but equal.
MR. GIBBS: No. In fact, it was asked on multiple occasions, and I can pull you something on that. It's the President's belief -- he strongly supports civil unions, and supports ensuring that they have access to the rights and benefits, such as hospital visitation and things like that, that are enjoyed by others.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5-12-09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 18, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q The President supported the Defense of Marriage Act -- for repeal of that during the election. Now that same-sex couples can marry legally in five different states, what is the President doing to make sure that those marriages can be recognized at the federal level? And what's the time line for something like that?
MR. GIBBS: I will -- I have to go check on that. I honestly don't know the answer to that.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5/18/2009
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 17, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Does the President stand by the legal brief that the Justice Department filed last week that argued in favor of the constitutionality of the Defense of Marriage Act?
MR. GIBBS: Well, Jake, as you know, the Justice Department is charged with upholding the law of the land, even though the President believes that that law should be repealed.
Q I understand that. But a lot of legal experts say that the brief didn't have to be as comprehensive and make all the arguments that it made, such as comparing same-sex unions to incestuous ones in one controversial paragraph that's upset a lot of the President's supporters. Does the President stand by the content, the arguments made in that brief?
MR. GIBBS: Well, again, it's the President's Justice Department. And again, we have the role of upholding the law of the land while the President has stated and will work with Congress to change that law.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 6/17/09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 26, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Can I ask a little bit more about Monday's --
MR. GIBBS: About Michael?
Q Not about -- (laughter.) Monday's event, gay and lesbian --
MR. GIBBS: I admit I don't have a whole lot on it, but yes.
Q You spoke about that it's going to be a salute to the accomplishment of gay and lesbian Americans. Is this a sign that the President is feeling political heat from this group, that he felt that he should schedule this?
MR. GIBBS: No, this is an event scheduled around Pride Month.
Q Around Pride Month? And this is the first time that the White House has done that sort of event here.
MR. GIBBS: This will be the first time we've had Pride Month while we're in the White House.
Q I was just wondering what -- are we to expect any substantive announcements on the two issues that that community has right at the forefront right now -- Defense of Marriage and "don't ask, don't tell"?
MR. GIBBS: No.
Yes. Nothing?
Q Well, I don't know.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 6-26-09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 29, 2009
REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT
AT LGBT PRIDE MONTH RECEPTION
East Room
"I've called on Congress to repeal the so-called Defense of Marriage Act to help end discrimination -- (applause) -- to help end discrimination against same-sex couples in this country. Now, I want to add we have a duty to uphold existing law, but I believe we must do so in a way that does not exacerbate old divides. And fulfilling this duty in upholding the law in no way lessens my commitment to reversing this law. I've made that clear.
I'm also urging Congress to pass the Domestic Partners Benefits and Obligations Act, which will guarantee the full range of benefits, including health care, to LGBT couples and their children. (Applause.) My administration is also working hard to pass an employee non-discrimination bill and hate crimes bill, and we're making progress on both fronts. (Applause.) "
The White House - Press Office - Remarks by the President at LGBT Pride Month Reception
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
____________________________________________________
For Immediate Release May 27, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Okay. And just a separate question. Today in California, Ted Olson, former Solicitor General for President Bush, and David Boies, are introducing a lawsuit against the state of California, saying that by denying same-sex couples the right to marry, the ability to marry they are violating the Equal Protection Rights under the U.S. Constitution for same-sex couples. Why are they wrong?
MR. GIBBS: I have not read the opinion or --
Q The President supports the idea that people should be able to -- same-sex couples should be able to enter in civil unions. Boies and Olson -- a very conservative lawyer -- are saying that is a violation --
MR. GIBBS: Olson. (Laughter.)
Q Not Boies, right -- Olson, a very conservative lawyer, saying that is a violation of the Constitution. It is also the position the President holds, that there should be civil unions, not same-sex marriage. Why is it not a violation of the Equal Protection clause?
MR. GIBBS: Jake, let me have somebody take a look at the pleading that they're going to make. I don't know what they're arguing --
Q Generally. Just forget the specific argument; I'm just talking about their general argument is that by having -- by not allowing same-sex couples to marry, it is a violation of equal protection.
MR. GIBBS: Right, well, again --
Q And that's the President's position, so --
MR. GIBBS: But let me -- well, the President's position, we're all aware of. I hesitate to be general about the legal underpinnings of an argument based on some portion of the Constitution. I think that they may be somewhat hard to generalize. So let me have somebody take a look at that and see if we have anything based on what Mr. Olson and Mr. Boies are doing.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 5/27/2009
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
__________________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 19, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q There's The Wall Street Journal report that President Obama wants to include civil unions to be counted in the census. Can you talk about that? Is that something the President wants?
MR. GIBBS: Well, I think, obviously, as we've discussed, the President and the administration are committed to a fair and accurate count of all Americans. And as the piece said, we're in the midst of determining the best way to ensure that gay and lesbian couples are accurately counted.
Q And just to follow up on John Berry's call that we had the other day when the President signed the memorandum, he talked about the need for a specific number of votes to fulfill the President's campaign promise of repealing "don't ask, don't tell" and the Defense of Marriage Act, and he kept saying 60 votes in the Senate. But is the White House talking to Republicans that might favor the repeal of this? I know there are a few.
MR. GIBBS: Yes, look, I think the administration -- well, obviously, for math purposes, we're going to have to have a coalition of people that believe, on each of those interests, that the policy isn't serving our nation well. And the President is committed to making progress on both of those issues.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 6-19-09
THE WHITE HOUSE
Office of the Press Secretary
_________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release June 29, 2009
PRESS BRIEFING
BY
PRESS SECRETARY ROBERT GIBBS
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
Q Following on that, the President has talked about repealing "don't ask, don't tell," and also the Defense of Marriage Act. So I'm wondering if you can tell me what specific steps has he taken to do this? What is his timeline for doing it? And also --
MR. GIBBS: I think we got a fairly similar question a minute ago, but I'll try to --
Q -- there's legislation apparently moving through House to repeal "don't ask, don't tell," I think it's H.R. 1283, and he hasn't endorsed it. Why not?
MR. GIBBS: I can certainly talk to legislative affairs about what that piece of legislation would do. As I said earlier, the President has been involved in, personally, meetings on this topic with stakeholders, including those at the Pentagon.
Q What about members of Congress?
MR. GIBBS: I don't know if he's met specifically with members of Congress on that. I know that -- I can try to get a list, I know that staff has worked here on the issue. It's a commitment that he intends to keep.
Q Can you talk a little bit more about the meetings that he's had, what --
MR. GIBBS: No.
Q -- and how recent has he been in these meetings?
MR. GIBBS: Since January 20.
The White House - Press Office - Briefing by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, 6-29-09
I'm not trying to prolong the off topic but just to show that one can acquire source material for a topic.
