Cincy Log Cabins Take on Bush 6th SOTU

The Log Cabins sent out their take on the State of the Union adress just the other day, and it has some interesting perspective, one of which is addressing the almost forgotten about Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy in the US military.

It is hard to imagine the CLCR's to ever be on par with anything involving the president short of the postulated "anti-liberal spending agenda." Few myths could be any bigger. Have a read, it is quick adn very interesting.

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CINCINNATI LOG CABIN CONGRATULATES THE PRESIDENT BUT SHARES CONCERNS

(CINCINNATI, OH) – The Greater Cincinnati Log Cabin Republicans congratulate President Bush on his sixth State of the Union address. This message to congress was an encouraging progress report about our foreign and domestic goals and a well-balanced plan for future progress. It is our hope that the White House and the American congress will remember the legacy of Coretta Scott King and search their hearts to be fair and inclusive to all Americans while making choices about our future.

We stand by the president and the Republican Party’s efforts to address a proactive national and global security policy, liberty and democracy throughout the world, a growing domestic economy, and education with standards, available and responsible healthcare and helping people safely plan for the future. Additionally we support the president’s efforts to reduce the deficit by 50% by 2009 while freeing Americans from a liberal agenda of over-taxation.

Tonight the president said “the United States is a partner for a better life¿” We agree, and urge congress to take the bold steps the president laid out tonight to partner with the American people to provide that better life. The Greater Cincinnati Log Cabin Republicans also call on Rep. Jean Schmidt, Rep. Steve Chabot, Sen. Mike DeWine and Sen. George Voinovich to work with the president and the people of south-western Ohio to keep our union strong.

We are encouraged that the president is making the Ryan White Act a 2006 priority. The terrible disease of HIV/AIDS has plagued the LGBT community for decades and we applaud the president’s recognition of the fatal grip it now has on the African American community. Re-authorizing the Ryan White Act with additional funding will help the many Americans waiting for HIV/AIDS medications begin to live fuller lives again.

We also commend the president’s persistence in asking congress to put aside partisan politics to reform Social Security. By not acting, congress has made this problem worse. This is especially important for gays and lesbians. Private accounts would allow gay and lesbian Americans to leave their retirement savings to a life partner, not allowed by the current anti-gay policy of the U.S government.

However, the Greater Cincinnati Log Cabin Republicans still seek for fairness and inclusion in our region and nation. Tonight the president expressed his concern over “who we are and how we treat one another.” We are deeply concerned and ask the president and all elected officials that when they vote to consider how that vote treats the many LGBT Americans they represent.

“As LGBT Republicans we believe in the individual liberty that founded our nation and seek fulfillment of the American dream without the barriers of discrimination. Only a government that celebrates the lives of its citizens can succeed. By seeking the inclusion of LGBT Americans, the Log Cabin Republicans is protecting the future of our democracy,” said Ted Jackson, GCLCR president.

Congress and the White House must remove the discriminatory Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy and allow LGBT Americans serve their country openly and honestly with honor. LGBT Americans have answered our country’s call for centuries and now it is time for our nation to answer theirs. This is a matter of national and global security, many of the LGBT service men and women who have been removed from military service for being gay in the Middle East possess the interpreting and communication skills needed for the war on terror.

Many LGBT Americans are still unprotected from discrimination at work, home and in public accommodations. LGBT students in American schools are bullied because of their sexual orientation 25 times more a day than non-gay students. Many gay and lesbian couples who offer loving and safe homes to children may not adopt in most states. And hardworking LGBT Americans cannot enjoy the rights, responsibilities and protections that come with a marriage license in 49 United States. Non-gay Americans are assured over 1100 rights by being able to marry that LGBT americans cannot acces-is that fair?

In tonight’s State of the Union address President Bush said “Liberty is the right and hope of all humanity.” The Greater Cincinnati Log Cabin Republicans asks the president and congress to give LGBT Americans hope by including our human rights in their upcoming policy and legislation.

The Log Cabin Republicans is the nation’s largest organization working for the inclusion of gay and lesbian Americans in the Republican Party. The first Log Cabin enlisted the support of Ronald Reagan to oppose an anti-gay ballot measure: California’s proposition 6 in 1978. Mr. Reagan publicly opposed proposition 6 saying “innocent lives could be ruined.” The measure was then defeated. Since then the Log Cabin Republicans has grown with chapters across the country to become a leading voice for fairness and inclusion in the GOP. The Cincinnati chapter was founded in 2005.