The case that changed Obama’s mind on Defense of Marriage Act

**SageTree** · 03-03-2011, 11:16 AM

The case that changed Obama’s mind on Defense of Marriage Act

Quote:

The Obama administration announced last week that it will no longer defend in court a part of the Defense of Marriage Act that forbids the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriage.

One widow's story was one of two cases pending in federal courts cited in the announcement of President Obama's decision, Bloomberg reports.

Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer were together for more than 40 years when Spyer died in 2009. Not longer after her partner's death, Windsor received a $363,053 federal tax bill--a liability that she would not have faced had the federal government recognized their union.

The New York couple married in Canada in 2007 in their 70s, after they found out that Spyer's multiple sclerosis was getting worse. Spyer was a psychologist who had become quadriplegic from the disease before her death, and Windsor worked for IBM. They met in the 1960s at a restaurant in Manhattan's Greenwich Village. "We danced so much and so intensely that she danced a hole through her stockings," Spyer said in the New York Times' write up of their wedding.

Windsor is suing for the tax money back from the federal government, and the Obama administration has effectively decided she's right by dropping its defense. The administration will continue to enforce the law unless it is struck down by the courts or Congress.

The Justice Department will also drop its defense in a similar case in Connecticut federal court with seven plaintiffs. Each plaintiff in the Connecticut case is a surviving same-sex partner who is being denied benefits because the federal government doesn't recognize the marriage.

Attorney General Eric Holder has informed House Speaker John Boehner that he or other members of Congress may defend the law if they choose. No one has officially stepped forward yet to take on the defense.

You can watch Windsor talk about her marriage and case in this video shot by the American Civil Liberties Union, whose lawyers are defending her

:

YouTube - Edie Windsor and ACLU Challenge Defense of Marriage Act

SageTree

Ego Tripping · 03-07-2011, 08:41 PM

Thanks for this brother...

The Rev · 03-07-2011, 09:42 PM

I wonder what case made him change his mind about trials at Gitmo...

Obama has been a real disappointment.

The Rev

**SageTree** · 03-08-2011, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev

I wonder what case made him change his mind about trials at Gitmo...

Obama has been a real disappointment.

The Rev

What has he done that you've liked?

The Rev · 03-08-2011, 08:50 AM

Not made America look bad by being a doofus.

The Rev

**SageTree** · 03-08-2011, 01:45 PM

tru dat!

Ego Tripping · 03-08-2011, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rev

I wonder what case made him change his mind about trials at Gitmo...

Uhh, this one:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us/14terror.html

Which he received a massive backlash from conservatives alike...

And he fought back...

Obama slams opposition to civilian trials for terrorism suspects | Front Row Washington | Analysis & Opinion | Reuters.com

But in the end, the resistance was too strong.

The guy gets an A for effort from me. While I would like a President who just stood up and "did what they thought was right", I often forget we just had a President who did that...and it was horrible.

DdC · 03-09-2011, 04:08 AM

Obama can decide preventing gay marriage laws is unconstitutional and just not enforce them. I would surmise he could do the same with the C.S.A? It's only been done 10 other times in US history???

This shouldn't be about "Gay" anything. It's about cohabitation regardless of gender and especially regardless of religion. Whatever tax exemptions are given for "spouses" should be granted to any two or more people sharing occupancy. Sex is irrelevant. It's helping the community by using less energy. Less electricity, heat and buildings. Less expense on low wages. Less pollution on everyone. Marriage is outdated with DNA doing a much better job of proving bloodlines. One person shaking a rattle and smoking a doobie is Constitutionally legal as far as being a religion. Marriage does nothing for society and yet takes from schools, roads and food, same as any two people could. Being limited to two opposites in Judea/Christianity means a bigger carbon footprint than a group or tribe sharing common resources. Kids getting deductions is counter productive. More taxes should be paid to deter more kids being made. We have almost 7 billion we can't feed, sucking up resources Koch brothers sell, taking in profits while leaving us pollution. Large families were for cheap labor and high death rates... supposedly that doesn't factor in with the modern medicine and almost elimination of deadly epidemics. This could be hourly, monthly or annually, whatever time is spent using less resources. Good for seniors, in-home support. If Obama can over rule the Fascism of marriage to breed, and keeps from getting dead or lynched by the Birchers and Birthers. Or just piss off too many constituents to do anything. Another way to deal with living without corporate, church or government intrusion. Like Ganja/Hemp and alternatives to fossil fools.... a threat to the status weird USA!qaeda Koch knockers.

Pro Life? Not even anti abortionists

Obama holds gay pride reception, vows to overturn 'unjust laws'
CNN June 29, 2009

Obama Administration decision to not defend Defense of Marriage Act will trigger heated political battle February 23, 2011
In a decision described as "shocking" and "breathtaking," the Obama administration announced this afternoon that the Justice Department will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman.

Defense of Marriage Act decision spurs calls for congressional action; Feinstein to introduce repeal bill February 23, 2011

Court asked to clear way for Calif gay marriages
Feb 23, 2011

Seniors Home Care!
Stop Taxing Diseases!

Older Americans Overwhelmingly Support Legalizing Medical Pot

Thank God for Hippies

4/20 @ 4:20

"We condemned them, our children, for seeking a different future. We hated them for their flowers, for their love, and for their unmistakeable rejection of every hideous, mistaken compromise that we had made throughout our hollow, money-bitten, frightened, adult lives."
~ June Jordan

Ecovillages

• Natural and non-toxic buildings
• Organic gardening and composting
• Preservation of wilderness
• Biological waste management
• Reuse, recycle, rebuild
• Renewable power systems
• Conservation land planning
• Egalitarian and open democratic governance

**SageTree** · 03-09-2011, 05:26 AM

Nice post Ddc....

So far Canada hasn't caught fire and burned from this one....

Doesn't matter what this guy thinks:

stoneric · 03-09-2011, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ego Tripping

Uhh, this one:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/us/14terror.html

Which he received a massive backlash from conservatives alike...

And he fought back...

Obama slams opposition to civilian trials for terrorism suspects | Front Row Washington | Analysis & Opinion | Reuters.com

But in the end, the resistance was too strong.

The guy gets an A for effort from me. While I would like a President who just stood up and "did what they thought was right", I often forget we just had a President who did that...and it was horrible.

He couldn't have been that naive not to think there would be strong resistance, look who he ran against. If what happened to Kennedy guides your every decision, than you shouldn't run.

Ego Tripping · 03-09-2011, 09:15 AM

While I understand what you're saying, I disagree...Kennedy could have possibly done a lot more progressively over time if he stayed alive.

**SageTree** · 03-09-2011, 10:06 AM

A surprised twist!

Thanks folks, for responding and for caring.

stoneric · 03-09-2011, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ego Tripping

While I understand what you're saying, I disagree...Kennedy could have possibly done a lot more progressively over time if he stayed alive.

But I don't believe Obama would be offed for sticking to what he believes to be right concerning bogus trials or other issues he has backed down from.

Ego Tripping · 03-09-2011, 03:03 PM

I agree...I can't quite tell why hes backing off, honestly, especially after defending it so vehemently.

**SageTree** · 03-10-2011, 06:25 AM

He 'showed he cared' but I'm sure, "It's just so hard to stand up for what you believe in against opposition..... better elect me again so I can keep fighting"

03-07-2011, 08:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ego Tripping Are you in? Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,468 Thanks: 229 Thanked 665 Times in 443 Posts	Thanks for this brother... __________________ God appears, and God is light, To those poor souls who dwell in night; But does a human form display To those who dwell in realms of day.

03-07-2011, 09:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,867 Thanks: 5,019 Thanked 5,421 Times in 2,865 Posts	I wonder what case made him change his mind about trials at Gitmo... Obama has been a real disappointment. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

03-08-2011, 08:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
The Rev Clear Light Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: In my head, somewhere. Posts: 17,867 Thanks: 5,019 Thanked 5,421 Times in 2,865 Posts	Not made America look bad by being a doofus. The Rev __________________ Budforce - My Friend August 29, 1973- May 25, 2012

03-08-2011, 01:45 PM	#6 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	tru dat! __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

03-09-2011, 04:08 AM	#8 (permalink)
DdC Decade Yahookan Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: Santa Cruz,CA,USA Posts: 2,118 Blog Entries: 5 Thanks: 51 Thanked 607 Times in 399 Posts	What's Love Got To Do Got To Do With It? Obama can decide preventing gay marriage laws is unconstitutional and just not enforce them. I would surmise he could do the same with the C.S.A? It's only been done 10 other times in US history??? This shouldn't be about "Gay" anything. It's about cohabitation regardless of gender and especially regardless of religion. Whatever tax exemptions are given for "spouses" should be granted to any two or more people sharing occupancy. Sex is irrelevant. It's helping the community by using less energy. Less electricity, heat and buildings. Less expense on low wages. Less pollution on everyone. Marriage is outdated with DNA doing a much better job of proving bloodlines. One person shaking a rattle and smoking a doobie is Constitutionally legal as far as being a religion. Marriage does nothing for society and yet takes from schools, roads and food, same as any two people could. Being limited to two opposites in Judea/Christianity means a bigger carbon footprint than a group or tribe sharing common resources. Kids getting deductions is counter productive. More taxes should be paid to deter more kids being made. We have almost 7 billion we can't feed, sucking up resources Koch brothers sell, taking in profits while leaving us pollution. Large families were for cheap labor and high death rates... supposedly that doesn't factor in with the modern medicine and almost elimination of deadly epidemics. This could be hourly, monthly or annually, whatever time is spent using less resources. Good for seniors, in-home support. If Obama can over rule the Fascism of marriage to breed, and keeps from getting dead or lynched by the Birchers and Birthers. Or just piss off too many constituents to do anything. Another way to deal with living without corporate, church or government intrusion. Like Ganja/Hemp and alternatives to fossil fools.... a threat to the status weird USA!qaeda Koch knockers. Pro Life? Not even anti abortionists Obama holds gay pride reception, vows to overturn 'unjust laws' CNN June 29, 2009 Obama Administration decision to not defend Defense of Marriage Act will trigger heated political battle February 23, 2011 In a decision described as "shocking" and "breathtaking," the Obama administration announced this afternoon that the Justice Department will no longer defend the Defense of Marriage Act, a federal law that defines marriage as a union between a man and a woman. Defense of Marriage Act decision spurs calls for congressional action; Feinstein to introduce repeal bill February 23, 2011 Court asked to clear way for Calif gay marriages Feb 23, 2011 Seniors Home Care! Stop Taxing Diseases! Older Americans Overwhelmingly Support Legalizing Medical Pot Thank God for Hippies 4/20 @ 4:20 "We condemned them, our children, for seeking a different future. We hated them for their flowers, for their love, and for their unmistakeable rejection of every hideous, mistaken compromise that we had made throughout our hollow, money-bitten, frightened, adult lives." ~ June Jordan Ecovillages • Natural and non-toxic buildings • Organic gardening and composting • Preservation of wilderness • Biological waste management • Reuse, recycle, rebuild • Renewable power systems • Conservation land planning • Egalitarian and open democratic governance

03-09-2011, 05:26 AM	#9 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	Nice post Ddc.... So far Canada hasn't caught fire and burned from this one.... Doesn't matter what this guy thinks: __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

03-09-2011, 09:15 AM	#11 (permalink)
Ego Tripping Are you in? Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,468 Thanks: 229 Thanked 665 Times in 443 Posts	While I understand what you're saying, I disagree...Kennedy could have possibly done a lot more progressively over time if he stayed alive. __________________ God appears, and God is light, To those poor souls who dwell in night; But does a human form display To those who dwell in realms of day.

03-09-2011, 10:06 AM	#12 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	A surprised twist! Thanks folks, for responding and for caring. __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

03-09-2011, 03:03 PM	#14 (permalink)
Ego Tripping Are you in? Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 13,468 Thanks: 229 Thanked 665 Times in 443 Posts	I agree...I can't quite tell why hes backing off, honestly, especially after defending it so vehemently. __________________ God appears, and God is light, To those poor souls who dwell in night; But does a human form display To those who dwell in realms of day.

03-10-2011, 06:25 AM	#15 (permalink)
SageTree ~Kalyāṇa-mitrā~ Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: In Love Posts: 23,414 Blog Entries: 26 Thanks: 13,070 Thanked 6,769 Times in 4,664 Posts	He 'showed he cared' but I'm sure, "It's just so hard to stand up for what you believe in against opposition..... better elect me again so I can keep fighting" __________________ "What's oppressive is letting your life be confined by old definitions of what everything is." -Zen Meister my_scatterheart YaHooka is.... Cannabis lovers from around the world pulling up a comfy chair, picking up a vaporizer, a bong, a brownie, a pipe, or a joint, getting high, stoned, buzzed or healthy. Uniting our minds in conversation...While Portraying a Positive Image of marijuana and marijuana users to the world. Treat your fellow YaHookans with kindness,respect and tolerance.

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