Is the platform perfect? No. Is it a good foundation? Unequivocally, yes.

[Shana A]

Is the platform perfect? No. Is it a good foundation? Unequivocally, yes.
Filed by: Guest Blogger
August 12, 2008 9:00 AM

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/is_the_platform_perfect_no_is_it_a_good.php

Editors' Note: Guest blogger Rea Carey is the Executive Director of the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Action Fund. Ms. Carey spoke yesterday at an audio press conference about the Democratic National Platform, which was hosted by the rea_carey_08_187x210.jpgNational Stonewall Democrats and featured U.S. Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.), a member of the Platform Committee. Carey talked about the historic significance of the proposed Democratic National Platform as it relates to issues impacting the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community.

The vision put forth in the 2008 Democratic National Platform is historic in its embrace of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender Americans. Never before in our country's history has there been a national party platform that is so inclusive of our entire community.

[tekla]

Platforms are window dressing, not much more.

[sarahb]

Platforms are window dressing, not much more.

That  being said, I think having it in there is still better than not. It shows that at least we are being recognized on some level more than ever before. That only leads to increased exposure and ultimate awareness. No matter if this is "window dressing" or not, it's still a step in the right direction.

[NicholeW.]

Sadly enough that is true, Kat. Much like launchers are for a guided missle: thy may get things started but after that they are basically useless until required once more. A rote set of wishes on another wish-list: the old Sears & Roebuck catalog that invariably arrived in October and would fill my mind until December 24th.

Nichole

[tekla]

Yeah, but if they sent it to me and said 'tekla, could you make this a little vaguer?' I'd have a hell of a hard time doing it.  It's a world class example of using weasel words.

And, its not the platform yet, it has to be voted on, but I imagine that will be pretty much pro forma, I don't think there has been a platform fight since '72.

So I think it was written to toss a bone, but not enough to be used in a McCain ad.

And remember its all nothing but a waste of paper if Obama does not win, and does not pull the down ticket with him in huge numbers.  And ignore the polls, its all about 5-7 states, Ohio, Penn, Minn, Wisconsin, Iowa and Mich and maybe Oregon depending on how the others go.  The other states are more or less set, Cali and NY are not going red, Texas and Utah are not going Blue. 

[Hazumu]

G[osh] D[arn] it, tekla, would you please stop making so much damn sense?

(don't you have some cable to pull somewhere, or are you senior enough to have subordinates for that?  > )

=K

[tekla]

I'm so senior that I can smoke with one hand, drink coffee with the other all the while keeping both hands in my pockets and rocking back on my heels, BESIDES pulling cable is an electricians job!  Just kidding.  I love to pull cable.

And it doesn't take a lot of news observation to get the idea that most people don't know a whole lot about our political system or how it really works - and I think the government kinda likes it that way, and I mean both parties.

[NicholeW.]

There are two parties in the USA? When did that happen? >

N~

[tekla]

Well its still in the rumor stage.  Lord knows the Republicans in San Francisco can't field a softball team, and I'm sure the Dems in Utah feel the same way.

[NicholeW.]

But ... but why do both parties look and act so much the same, Kat? If they are two different parties?

Puzzled Blonde

[tekla]

Well one is bought by a bunch of rich people and corporations, the other is bought by a bunch of rich people and corporations.

Hope that clears it up for you.

[NicholeW.]

O, OK. Now I get it! They really are two different parties with nothing at all in common!!

Thanks for clearing that up for me, luv!

N~

[tekla]

80% of the money donated to the two parties comes from the same sources.  Cover your bets I guess.

[NicholeW.]

So the 80%ers are kinda like the Casino? >

N~

[tekla]

Yup, they are the House, we are the marks.

[NicholeW.]

Marks!!! How dare you!! I'm a woman!! Nichole!! >

[tekla]

mark, like rube, or dupe is a gender free term.  The best movie on politics is The Sting.  Redford is the Dems, Newman is the Repups, and we're just Doyle Lonnegan thinking this time we're going to win.

[NicholeW.]

Hmm, I like that analogy. That was pretty fair thinking, Kat.

N~