05/15/2009
Jon Stewart Nails Obama on 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'
After a short discussion about Obama's flip-flop on the release of detainee photos, Jon Stewart nails Obama on his campaign promises over "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" and his refusal to stop discharges of gay troops, specifically the firing of gay Arabic linguist Dan Choi.
Says Stewart: "So it was okay to waterboard a guy over 80 times, but God forbid the guy who could understand what that prick was saying....has a boyfriend.
Watch it, AFTER the JUMP....
Also, here's an update on the case of Sandy Tsao, the Chinese American Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army, based in Missouri, who received a personal letter from Obama promising to change the military's policy. Tsao will be discharged next Tuesday.
| The Daily Show With Jon Stewart | M - Th 11p / 10c | |||
| Moral Kombat | ||||
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Posted 8:04 AM EST by Andy Towle in Barack Obama, Dan Choi, Don't Ask, Don't Tell, Jon Stewart, Military, News | Permalink
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I know Obama hasn't been on the job that long, but so far I'm not impressed by his performance. Not just concerning DADT, but on a number of other issues, including his condoning of torture by refusal to investigate or prosecute those responsible for committing war crimes. McCain would have been worse, because he's just a hateful, ignorant, doddering old fool. And the prospect of a Palin Presidency is just to horrible to contemplate. But at this juncture Obama is a big disappointment. Unfortunately, I think the tone has been set and he'll continue to be just another two-faced politician. A fraud with few principles and no courage. He's looking more and more like a young, emaciated Bill Clinton with a tan. The best thing I can say is as far as gay issues are concerned it probably won't get any worse under Obama, but it won't get much better either. Unless things change, really change, change I can believe in, my wallet will remain closed for 2012 and I might just stay at home on election day.
Posted by: Bob R | May 15, 2009 8:20:52 AM
I still have immense hope that Obama does have a plan to repeal DADT, DOMA, and many of the other promises he's made on the campaign trail but I sure hope he gives us some sense of a larger plan soon because I'm starting to get disillusioned with him as well.
I think it is good that the media and our community start holding Obama to task but we also need to then recognize when he pulls through for us - if in fact he does.
Posted by: Kurt from Brooklyn | May 15, 2009 8:35:22 AM
Bob - that's a lot of knee jerk reactionism you're spouting there. Obama is a long distance sprinter - and that's something we're not used to. I continue to have faith that there is a method to his madness at this point, and that accomplishing the agenda that will benefit ALL Americans rather than partisan hackery is more important.
If he were to allow all hell to break loose from DADT and torture photos at this point, his message and agenda would be lost.
He's not a quick fix guy, and I, for one, am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for at least 25% of his term.
In other words - he hasn't even been in office for a year - give the guy a break.
Posted by: taodon | May 15, 2009 8:38:22 AM
Utterly Brilliant Jon! It is time to stop apologizing for Obama and hold him accountable.
Posted by: Leto | May 15, 2009 8:49:00 AM
I'm with you, Taodon. But, remember... he's hardly been in office for 1/3rd of a year, never mind a whole year... and in that 1/3rd of a year, our economy has tanked beyond anyone's expectations. I'd say he's got enough to deal with trying to keep people employed. He'll get to DADT and DOMA, just be patient.
Posted by: jim | May 15, 2009 8:50:58 AM
I urge everyone to call or e-mail the White House, and call on President Obama to work for the repeal of DADT. The first 100 days are over, and critical mass has been reached on this issue.
Then, go to www.knightsout.org/becomeanally and become an ally.
Posted by: Hank Drake | May 15, 2009 9:10:32 AM
Jon's a God!
Posted by: David Ehrenstein | May 15, 2009 9:17:23 AM
Still too early to jump all over Obama.
Posted by: JT | May 15, 2009 9:21:11 AM
Ah, yes. Crossing the Chorus Line. That one singular sensation. The image of Obama with a sparkly top hat and high kicking....that's what he's really afraid of.
Posted by: woodroad34 | May 15, 2009 9:25:22 AM
I like Obama just fine, but these issues continue to be a real stumbling block, especially when simple solutions (and even simple interim solutions in advance of more complex and involved solutions) are apparent.
Another question: Is there anything the dischargees can do--like sue for military honours and/or full pension? They are not considered to have conducted themselves inappropriately, are they?
Posted by: David D. | May 15, 2009 9:26:51 AM
Seriously folks? Is no one going to call out Bob on the "He's looking more and more like a young, emaciated Bill Clinton with a tan" comment?
I share the anger and frustration with Obama on lack of response to LGBTQ issues, and the comparison to Clinton is apt. But need we really spew racism in the argument? REALLY?!
Posted by: Hunter Gabrielle | May 15, 2009 9:37:52 AM
if someone loses a job because of DADT, do they get there job back if Obama gets rid of this?
i'm young, and confused about this.
Posted by: Gregsy | May 15, 2009 9:49:37 AM
On everything but LGBT issues, he says these things cannot wait, and that an administration can handle more than one thing at a time, and that an administration cannot pick when issues important to the people must be dealt with. But, as soon as something is LGBT related, we get told that these things have to wait.
He's also in violation of U.S. and international law by not pursuing those that enabled and performed torture.
Posted by: Mike | May 15, 2009 9:53:37 AM
Hunter, what Bob said wasn't racist.
I want ENDA and Hate Crimes bills passed within a year.
Posted by: Bill | May 15, 2009 9:55:10 AM
The podium sign zoom-in at the end at the is the best.
The follow-up segment is pure silliness, but made me smile too:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=227352&title=dan-choi-is-gay
Posted by: PM | May 15, 2009 9:56:09 AM
To all those who keep saying stuff like "Give Obama time" and "he's a long distance sprinter"...sorry, US politics are NEVER long term. It's important to strike while the iron is hot. Obama has steed in for stem cell, abortion, women's pay and many other non-economic disaster related items. NOW is when he should be acting. He's fucked us on gay marriage by lending his words to the anti-gay marriage folk. GLBT issues will NOT be taken up next year because of the mid-term elections.
He could easily make his life and the lives of future candidates easier by getting rid of these wedge issues.
Posted by: Mike | May 15, 2009 10:12:26 AM
^^ That should say "stepped"
Posted by: Mike | May 15, 2009 10:13:16 AM
It's ironic that any critical comments about Obama brought before the election on this site and you were instantly the subject of "Harsh" responses. More hard questions and less hypnotica would have served us better.
Posted by: NewEng | May 15, 2009 10:42:23 AM
Barack Obama (along with Edwards and Clinton) neither promised not supported marriage equality. But his press secretary, Robert Gibbs, gave a one word answer when asked whether the Obama Administration would repeal DADT.
"Yes."
Obama is backtracking. And he owes our community and especially these honorable service members an explanation.
Posted by: Chitown Kev | May 15, 2009 11:13:23 AM
Bill Clinton jumped right into the battle for us, don't forget that. Anything else is revisionism.
Obama said during the campaign that he was no supporter of Gay marriage and he surrounded himself with preachers. I am a supporter now but was fr Hillary. During the election all of us Hillary supporters who pointed these things out got shouted down. Hmm. Now we have who we have and we can only hope that he is a long distance runner and knows what he's doing. He does seem to have a way of doing things that seems to work.
Posted by: Derek Washington | May 15, 2009 11:41:50 AM
I don't support anyone's right to serve in the military. We weld power without responsibility, murdering poor and colored people throughout the world in the name of corporate interests, our oil addiction, and a christian god.
Having said that, I think it's quaint how we give our votes away and then are surprised when we don't see tangible results.
Posted by: Randy | May 15, 2009 11:51:36 AM
It was one hundred after slavery before American Blacks received civil rights legislation from the federal government. The Gay Civil Rights Movement is sixty years old? Give the President more time--even more importantly, judge him by his federal judges he appoints.
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | May 15, 2009 11:56:01 AM
There is nothing wrong with putting pressure on the guy to do something. Its the only way anything gets done here so I have no problem threatening to with-hold funds or sit out the next election if he doesn't keep his promises. Of course he's only been in for 1/3 of a year and we don't have the option to put out money where our mouths are until 2012 but we need to let him know from the start we fully expect him to champion equal rights as he promised he would. If he hasn't done anything by 2012 we'll know but until then he needs to know we mean business. He has, if fact, as of now actually fired a man for being gay. You all do realize that?
Posted by: Jersey | May 15, 2009 12:00:17 PM
@Derrick
But servicemembers in key positions are being discharged. An Arab linguist?
It's not simply discrimination against gay people. DADT is also harming our national security.
Posted by: Chitown Kev | May 15, 2009 12:06:23 PM
well done jon! :)
Posted by: sundog | May 15, 2009 2:52:10 PM