Editor's Note: Dr. James M. Lindsay is a Senior Vice President at the Council on Foreign Relations and co-author of America Unbound: The Bush Revolution in Foreign Policy. Visit his blog here and follow him on Twitter.
By James M. Lindsay
The Obama administration announced this week that it would use U.S. aid to promote gay rights abroad. President Obama issued a memorandum laying out the new policy, and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva that “gay rights and human rights are… one and the same.”
Rick Perry was the first GOP presidential candidate to criticize the new policy:
Promoting special rights for gays in foreign countries is not in America’s interests and not worth a dime of taxpayers’ money.
But there is a troubling trend here beyond the national security nonsense inherent in this silly idea. This is just the most recent example of an administration at war with people of faith in this country. Investing tax dollars promoting a lifestyle many Americas of faith find so deeply objectionable is wrong.
Rick Santorum quickly followed Perry’s line, complaining that “the administration is promoting their particular agenda in this country, and now they feel it’s their obligation to promote those values not just in the military, not just in our society, but now around the world with taxpayer dollars.” Expect to hear more criticisms in this vein during the upcoming GOP presidential debates. Rick Perry has already released an attack ad in Iowa based on the White House decision.
Yesterday, Jon Huntsman looked to have altered his tone on climate change. He told a gathering at the Heritage Foundation that the “onus is on the scientific community to provide more in the way of information, to help clarify the situation” on climate change.
You might remember that back in August Huntsman took a poke at his GOP rivals when he tweeted: “To be clear. I believe in evolution and trust scientists on global warming. Call me crazy.” After an avalanche of news stories and blog posts suggesting that he had flip-flopped, Huntsman told reporters after his speech today to the Republican Jewish Coalition that his views haven’t changed – he believes that science shows that human activity is changing the climate and that action needs to be taken.
The New York Times’s Richard Oppel reports that the GOP presidential candidates are taking aim at Obama’s foreign policy. (Surprise!) Salon’s Jordan Smith thinks Newt Gingrich would be “the scariest commander in chief” because of the “violent grandiosity, faux intellectualism, and missionary zeal” of his foreign policy views. Joshua Keating looks back at Gingrich’s 2003 effort to reform the State.
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Dont ask, dont tell is safe and fair. Less impact on what is irrelavent to most.
if it is for gay rights (which I fdoubt) then NO. However, YES for humanitarian aid.
There is nothing wrong with using U.S. aid and other forms of power to promote human rights abroad, and the U.S. has repeatedly done so before. Why is it controversial only if the humans whose rights we are promoting are gay? Gay people are human, and gay rights are human rights.
How about some Humanitarian Aid to this country to the millions of unemployed, kids that are going hungry, elderly people who die without the drugs or the care they need, not to mention the roads, bridges, and dams that are crumbling away?
It is no longer a question of life-style if a person gets ostracised, mutilated, beaten or killed just because he/she is gay or lesbian.
Oh, that's just great. 25% of kids in this country are going hungry – and we're worried about supporting the gay agenda – what a twisted wreck this counrty is.
"Dont ask, dont tell is safe and fair." Not to the Gay and Lesbian soldiers it targeted... and besides, DADT is dead. Moving on...
I am not dead – you cried for the death. Now I will cry for life.
It was fair back in the 1990s. Now things have changed
It wasn't even fair back in the 90's. It's never been fair but it was at least useful. Like so many minorities attempting to gain some equality with whites in this country (yes,I'm white) it comes in slow steps.
The quick answer is HE LL NO
The freedom for gay military to be honest about their lives is what is safe and fair. People got over working with other races in the military. The repeal has shown to be just fine these past few months.
No, it is not. Denying basic rights to people is not fair, and if the country continues to refuse equal rights in all corners of society, I can guarantee it will not be safe.
1. There is no use of humanitarian aid if we first cant take care of our own- I am a democrat but I see no logic in borrowing money from China to feed poor in somalia!!! We should suspend all foreign aid in all forms till we get better.
2. Most aid money gets into the hand of corrupt officials in those countries (even terrorists) and/or is wasted
3. BUT.......if we are hell bent on giving humanitarian aid and promoting rights and freedom- then yes- Gays should not be excluded.
The U.S. already uses its foreign aid distribution to encourage countries to change their poor records on women's rights and ethnic violence, etc. and the U.S. should do the same thing with human rights for Gays, and other groups. Also, the U.S. should STOP sending our U.S. Taxpaying dollars to these Ignorant and Backwards countries that promote Discrimination. They want and need help/aid/ assistance and Equal/Civil Rights, but are UNWILLING to give Equal/Civil Rights to others. Many of these countries have been repeatedly and blantantly discriminated against, and now they want to discriminate and promote injustice against others. They may have a right to make these Bigoted and Hateful laws, but other countries, including the U.S., have a RIGHT NOT TO GIVE THEM ANY AID (NOT A DIME), while they continue to discriminate against others .
The U.S. have many issues (ie. Diseases, Unemployment, Infrastructure, etc) here in America, and our U.S. Taxpaying Citizen dollars should be used FIRST to assist the American people. Charity begins at home, followed by charity to others . . . But certainly NOT to these nations who implement Draconian laws and don't have any concept of fairness, Equal/Civil Rights for others.
The Lord God will never allow US an UK to destroy us. We have conscience, even animals will not do that shameful things that u think is a human right do. may the judgement of God come upon u if u decide to impose that abomination upon our continent. Ungrateful people to God, people without senses. may u be punished, come to Africa and see if u can smell that aid that we have been given us. Keep your aid and we keep our dignity.
Hey Bro I agree with you totally. Why the hell does not the USA & the UN(USA again) stop interfering in the policies of foreign countries. A damn lot of americans are becoming more fed up with it. I hope Ron Paul gets elected. I thought Obama would really make a huge difference in the way the country was run, but he came up against a Fascist government already in control and he rolled over.
Dignity? The entire continent is made up of monstrous murderous governments and arrogant selfish thugs. Africa is the single greatest concentration of corruption and failure in the world.
To be fair, they learned a lot from the West.
Its sad you presume to know the mind of god.
@Anarchistic Sucka! you believed Obama Christ Superstar, the next time you go with the flow make sure it's not over a waterfall.
The truth of the matter is that,being gay or a lesbian is something that's been determined as inherent in some people and i can't argue with that. However, apart some regions of the world,other countries find this lfie style at odds with their religion which brings about some of the reactions that occur. Personally,i'm not gay and don't know any one who is,but i don't believe that violence against these peolpe is the answer. As for Obama promoting gay rights with the international aid progams,it will bring about some backlash from countries who have strong feelings about gays. How they intend to promote gay rights without antagonizing some of America's trade partners,is one forn poltical rope walking i want to see!
You are such a daft and not even worth the name you are bearing. You can't impose your filthy and stinking values on others. People like you should go to jaol.
I think Benedict's post was quite moderate and non-controversial. You seem to be in need of medication.
but Carlos, it's okay for gays to impose their values and morals onto the rest of civilization??
Being gay is not a choice, but being a bigot is a choice.
@Thinker is a child molester born that way? So if he is, should we make that normal too?
Unless you know less than ten people, you likely know some gay people. Yes there will be backlashes. There are always consequences for doing the right thing.
If you are referencing the idea that 1 in 10 is gay, you are very incorrect. That statistic has been proven false. I'm not opposed to GLBT rights, but I am opposed to everyone who continues to toss out incorrect information as a way to support their views. More recent studies put the number at 1.7 in 100. Anecdotally, and off the top of my head I know 6 gays/lesbians... I would say I have about 300 friends and close aquaintances (I'm sure I spelled that wrong.)... which ironically fits that study pretty closely.
is child molestation a inherent behavior?
Why should my hard earned money be sent to countries to use towards prosecuting people like me. It disgusts me.
no as well as it shouldnt be promoted in US
We are not promoting "Gay" rights. We are promoting human rights. The right to be what you are and live your life without being persecuted.
Like... this ^^^
Hell no, we have people living in tents here and no jobs the money should stay here with the people who earned it. I don't give a dam about some gay guy in Africa or any where else. Leave it to the government to kill millions of people and then give aid to someone they might kill tomorrow.
what about my right to be in a dressing room with my four-year-old daughter and not have to be concerned about cross-dressing men coming in??? Recent occurence at Macy's where several cross dressing men went into the women's dressing room and made quite a scene when asked not to go back in.
And what does that have to do with gay rights?
and this is relevant how?
Gordon and thinker: this has everything to do with the rights of us NORMAL people. I agree with the lady 100%.
@babulu how many black people are being persecuted because of their black skin your argument for gay rights is lame, the majority of people you dont even know they are gay unless they tell you. You act as if they are hanging gays from trees, as if there is a hetero water fountain and a gay water fountain, as if they are sicking dogs on you and spraying you with fire hoses, as if they were calling you n*ggers, as if you came here on a slave ship and sold into slavery, as if the Civil Rights was about gay rights, MLK said the content of your chracter, not your skin, he didnt say gender, as if Jim Crow was to discriminate against gays, as if all the black leaders who were murdered doing that era died for the rights of gays, as if you were not considered fully human, as if they whipped your ass on plantations, slavery displaced 200 million black people. Show me gay history that compares to this history, show me were gays have suffered. and lets not forget South Africa Apartied, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and South America where 35% of Africans were shipped and suffered the same fate as African-Americans. See you gay lovers dont come close. And slavery is still going on in the middleeast were ARABS are enslaving dark-skinned Africans Fuk THE PALESTINIANS.
@babulu how many black people are being persecuted because of their black skin your argument for gay rights is lame, the majority of people you dont even know they are gay unless they tell you. You act as if they are hanging gays from trees, as if there is a hetero water fountain and a gay water fountain, as if they are sicking dogs on you and spraying you with fire hoses, as if they were calling you n*ggers, as if you came here on a slave ship and sold into slavery, as if the Civil Rights was about gay rights, MLK said the content of your chracter, not your skin, he didnt say gender, as if Jim Crow was to discriminate against gays, as if all the black leaders who were murdered doing that era died for the rights of gays, as if you were not considered fully human, as if they whipped your ass on plantations, slavery displaced 200 million black people. Show me gay history that compares to this history, show me were gays have suffered. and lets not forget South Africa Apartied, the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and South America where 35% of Africans were shipped and suffered the same fate as African-Americans. See you gay lovers dont come close. And slavery is still going on in the middleeast were ARABS are enslaving dark-skinned Africans Fuk THE PALESTINIANS. THE END
The population of the United States in 1780 was a little over one point two million and the slave population was five percent of that, we have never been the leaders in slavery. There were many more slaves in Africa than here, tribes would either kill rivals or enslave them. Arabs would go into Africa and buy or capture slaves then deliver them to the coast where they were sold to mostly Dutch slavers. The were then transported to America but mostly to the English and French colony's. Today there is more slavery in the world than ever, the Roman Empire ran on slavery. Today it resides mostly in China, Indonesia and India. There was another form of slavery that was prevalent in the New England states and it was just called by a different name, bond servant or indentured servant, England cleaned out their jails that way. You were bonded and sent to your owner in New England where you worked for a certain time, a life term was normal and included your children. If you showed a expertise in something you could get paid a small amount and your term shortened. That would allow your children to own a business and land, that is how the trade guilds were started here. That unfortunately was not the fate of the black man here, it was against the law to teach them to even read.
Misuse of sewage plumbing is dangerous to public health.
Kimono
You make a valid point. How often are we reminded of the importance of washing hands after going to the bathroom so as not to spread disease. I don't want to get to graphic but how do gay males deal with this disease threat. I would doubt that they go wash and change bedding after doing what they do. Seem like a recipe for disaster so far as the spread of disease goes. Since these diseases do get spread to others outside of their own family, I think it is only reasonable for people to be fearful of this type of abhorrent behavior.
Wow really, have you ever heard of a shower??? Or is that foreign to you.. Or lets talk about guys in general that scratch their crotch and proceed to shake hands when greeting someone. How many men wash there hands after that act.... Wouldn't that also pose a health risk. It sounds like you need to be living in a bubble or need to come from under your rock.. One of the other
Not all gay men are into that. A lot of them just prefer outercourse.
Unnecessary question! Human right,individual right is enough. Don't make too much ultra-libral. It will be disgusting. One step over or under the truth is wrong.
Totally absurd, and an outrageous waste of our tax dollars!!!!
Obama is an absolute idiot!
agreed. There are a billion more important things this non existent aid money could go to.
We are talking about holding back financial Aid to countries that do not respect the human rights of LGBT people. Implimenting this policy would mean sending less money to places like Pakistan. It should save tax dollars. So are you for it now?
For those that don't actually understand how foreign assistance works (which looks to be everyone who has commented so far) – the U.S. government does not write a check to the recipient country government and tell them this is for gay rights advocacy. Rather, USAID or State compete grants to nonprofit organizations and universities for particular projects.
Amen. I also wonder if the jacka$$ will produce the needed funds on the spot(sort of like making Monoply money) the way he proposed to get us out of the bind before.Besides, I have to wonder: What part of "immoral" dont these people understand?
No we should not when we as Americans have not fully embraced it ourselves. There are bigger issues here to solve than worrying about some other country's gay rights....
This is true.
Human rights, there is no such thing as gay rights.
Is it a SODOMITE ERA and time?!?
You are pretty sick
I agree, this person should be medicated
Once upon a time, all mankind recognised sodomy as a mental illness/sinful lifestyle. How things tend to go down hill once the good old-timers start to die off. I pity us once the last of Parents' generation is gone.
COMPLETELY untrue. SOME mis-informed nutballs regarded being GLBT as a "mental illness", but certainly not "all mankind".
The US should mind its own business and government should not be promoting ANY lifestyles!!! What you do is your business, unless you drag me into it. I have the right to believe as I wish, whether you like or not and calling me names will never change my mind, as I have a few names for what you are!
Who the US gives and does not give aid to IS it's business.
With respect to all who have posted, but this is NOT about "lifestyles", it is about the LIVES of innocent individuals.
It could just as easily be lefthanders or people who walk with a limp who are targeted, but gay people make easy targets in many countries because it is so easy to think this is about what people DO rather than who they ARE.
Would YOU accept being targeted, threatened, beaten or killed because of who YOU are? If not, you have just made the soundest possible case for gay rights, whether to meant to or not.
Actually you do not have a right to be a bigot. You have a privilege, like you have the privilege of US aid. You continue being a disgusting little punk and you may lose more than just money.
This man you are reviling. Have you ever met him? He may not be a disgusting little punk. He may be twice your size. You may be twice MY size. I have always believed that we should make our words sweet in case we are obliged to eat them. But, yes , I do believe that I have every right to hold MY govt. responsible for HOW they use MY tax dollars. How will I do this? With MY vote! God bless America!
Obama doesn't seems to get it – the culture and feelings of other countries especially in africa- just as he doesn't seems to get the economic and the hardship many americans are facing today. Obama hasn't finish solving his backyard problems and now he wants to direct his weakness to other countriess. he is laughable....this guy is like a puppet president and doesn't deserve to be in the white house.
Another point is why does Obama fails to raise this same gay issues with the arab countries when he meets their leaders. For example Yemen and Iraq also receive aid from the U.S. so why does he become selective on countries when it comes to gay issues? I feel Obama will go down in history as one of the worst president and Yes sir! president america ever had.
Why Mr. Obama choose to be President? ... there are only very few Kennyans to be served in America. Mr. Obama is not also the descendant of Slavery.
Why the Jewish and Greek are the Majorities of xays?
To be clear, the US Administration should use its influence to push for the advance of all human rights worldwide. While as a gay man, I suffer when I hear of young men being executed in pseudo-civilized countries like Iran, I can't condone special treatment of this human right when we have ignored so many other rights in "friendly" countries for so long in so many areas of the world. Let's take on something a bit more basic – like women's rights in Suadi Arabia and the other Arab countries, or children's rights in the Asian countries, or safe voting rights in Africa.
You make a good point John. All human rights should be factors in our determining of who gets out aid.
You make it sound like women's rights should inherently come first or something. I respectfully disagree. Human rights are human rights. There is no "one basic" or "other complex" human rights, or one that should come before another. The right to love and make a life with the person of my choosing without fear of harm is just as basic as a woman having the right to vote.
I practice Falun Gong, which is a heart and mind cultivation practice available everywhere for free. This practice has over one hundred million adherents Worldwide. It consists of five exercises and basically nine lectures.
I consider myself very lucky because Falun Gong, also known as Falun Dafa, has allowed me to distinguish the difference between right and wrong concerning such difficult issues as gay rights, drug use, euthanasia, suicide, abortion and many other very important subjects. The practice is available on line and thank you for your consideration.
Everyone cries foul when Muslim fanatics claims they want to spread sharia though out the world,what's the difference between a Government trying to impose their value on another culture,Take care of the gay society in the US,and let other country determine what is best for them,pretty soon we will impose Hamburger and Budweiser on every country.
Worry about the economy and stay away from peoples private life,Gay in those countries will not stop being Gay because their country say so,Only a government with too much time on its hand will try to control what humans do behind close curtain.
Radical Islam is an inferior culture, as is any culture that persecutes gays. It has no inherent right to exist.
I think the overwhelming reaction against Rick Perry's youtube add clearly shows where the majority of americans stand on discrimination of ANY kind. Its not acceptable, anytime- anywhere...
Of course not. Being gay is going to go out of style like slap bracelets. Then all the aid money will fall into the hands of the ultimate flamig gay of them all, and he will want WMD's.
With respect, being gay isn't a "style." It's a trait, and it's a trait that has shown up in every society on the planet for all of recorded history. It's not something people "choose"– it's something they realize, usually at before puberty.
Not likely to be "going" anywhere.
child molestation i guess is too, down the slippery slope, where we stop everybody knows.
the money should be spent to protect our joung boys here against the gay men
It would be very interesting to see the results if American taxpayers could actually cast a binding vote for or against spending tax dollars for specific purposes, especially dollars intended to be spent outside our own country. I suspect most Americans would vote against most political expenditures.
If you want to suck on a banana, go ahead but please do not promote such sickness and or to bring it into our schools.
This is about beating people up, or worse, for who they are.
With all due respect, it isn't a joke. Your comment goes to the heart of the problem– where people seek to dehumanize others, make fun of them, all the while watching as they get beaten to a pulp.
It's well past time that ALL of civilized society spoke up and said, "Enough. These are OUR loved ones, and YOURS, and you are doing them harm."
Agreed. Let "them" do as they please. But, I am sick of the gay agenda being "rammed" down my throat by liberal media. I remember when the media used to claim non-bias and try to toe the middle line. They no longer make such pretensions.
Romans 1:24-32
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: [25] Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. [26] For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: [27] And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. [28] And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; [29] Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, [30] Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, [31] Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: [32] Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
SO WHAT?
God isn't real, your argument is invalid.
Thanks for the truth on this matter
That is certainly the world we live in right now. Can't get a whole lot more plain than that. Keep on preaching. You's ah chewin' th' corn right off'n th' cob, ol' boy!
@Laroy they dont want to hear the truth, but they think if its popular it's right and they trust those federal judges asthough they God. Wipe the dust from your sandals and leave them to their own devices.
That's incredibly ignorant. Gay does not equal pedophile.
Let Secretary of State Hillary Clinton pay for the effort out of her own pocket.
Why does the USA feel that we have to be involved in every other countries internal affairs. We throw money around the world like a bunch of drunken sailors and for what? If a country wants to improve the rights of gays then they will but no amount of money given will change beliefs or practices. Just what are we trying to prove to the rest of the world?
We are like those time share condos which give you a great travel deal but you have to sit and listen to their spiel. "If you want our money, you're going to have to listen to us berate you first."
We are pretty self-righteous, but at the same time they don't have to take the money either...
NO, NO, Use the money here to feed the homeless.
Huntsman is becoming another McCain - give up on priniciples just to get the nomination. Now he's as bad as Mittens.
how about american aid going back to the tax payer instead of spreading our debt all over the world.
According to Rick Perry, not being tortured and executed is a "special right." I say, let's revoke Rick Perry's "special rights."
With respect to all who have posted, but this is NOT about "lifestyles", it is about the LIVES of innocent individuals.
It could just as easily be left-handers or people who walk with a limp who are targeted, but gay people make easy targets in many countries because it is so easy to think this is about what people DO rather than who they ARE.
Would YOU accept being targeted, threatened, beaten or killed because of who YOU are? If not, you have just made the soundest possible case for gay rights, whether to meant to or not.
I am a african-american my people, black people are dying everyday in Central and South America in the slums from disease and violence and our goverment is worrying about a man inserting his dyck in anothers mans a*s. You want even acknowledge we have people in those countries dont have CIVIL RIGHTS IN THE 21ST FUKKING CENTURY, but a man sukking another mans dyck has priority. Yea, the U.S. priorities are fukked up. Oh but there is a storm coming I hope you are ready and everything that's based on truth will be swept away. FUK GAY RIGHTS my people are suffering in Central and South America.
not on truth I mean will be swept away.
This sends a strong message that america's has no system of values and not for religious reasons, it says that a democratic nation who has not democratically come to the conclusion of right and wrong on particular issue, can have its existing values based on current law and social reality misrepresented by the government abroad and pushed upon other nations in a highly hypocritical fashion.
Thats like dubai telling saudi arabia that is against womens rights to wear burqa's, its a piece of foreign policy that will just create more resentment toward the united states.
Its called practice what you preach, if your for democracy than you are for other nations to have the free will to do things that you believe wrong, if you are taking away that you're taking away their freedom, this is one of the main attractions of china, they want to do business but they do not want to get into your internal business unless if affects there business with you. Ironic that nations that are leaving the democratic u.s sphere of influence for communist dictatorship china is nationally going to enjoy more freedom working with the communists, if that isn't evidence that america has veered desperately off course of its core values i don't know what is.
I'm all for protecting human rights, but, until gay people in this country share the same rights as all other tax paying citizens, our rights are not being protected! We deserve the right to marry our partners and to afford them all of the same benefits that straight people have for their partners! Withholding our right to marry and demanding our tax dollar is nothing but extortion!
keep your shyt in the beedroom and you want face criticism.
We have ENOUGH to worry about and have TAX PAYER MONEY SPENT ON!!!! Let each country handle its OWN ISSUES and find its OWN WAY!!!!
While killing someone for being gay is cruel, trying to use aid to force a liberal ideology down another country's throat is also cruel and will meet with fierce resistance everywhere.
It's cruel to turn a blind eye to murder and violence, ignoring the genocide of GLBT people worldwide is evil. Anyone that "resists" is on the wrong side of history.
Ah, genocide, now I get it. Unroll the boas, strap on the thongs, assemble the boy in Castro, we have work to do..
you turn a blind eye in regard to what is happening to black people in Central and South America. I dont give A FUK WHAT THEY DO TO GAY PEOPLE
No one is free while others are oppressed. The United States can hardly call itself the land of the free, if it ignores oppression and injustice everywhere else in the world. Ignoring anti-GLBT violence and oppression is wrong and evil.
So they wouldn't lift a finger to fight vicious anti-American propaganda abroad but they're shelling out dollars for foreign gays? Unbelievable... and people make fun of Donald Trump? He might be the only one who really gets it and HE's a clown? WOW!
wait, so my tax dollars are going to be used to keep gays safe in other countries? then again, this is the same government that made pizza a vegetable and is attempting to censor the internet while masses of people are protesting for more rights.
If the man in the White House gets re-elected we're all doomed, can't the people that still support this numb-scull see what damage HE is doing to this country. It's Biblical the way he was elected and the harm he has done and how so many people still would vote to re-elect him. I agree with the economists that predict 50% unemployment if Obama gets re-elected, the crime rate will rise 1000 fold buy your guns early and often. You may not agree with the religious terms used for what's happening now but wait it's going to get much worst.
Your stupidity makes Baby Jesus cry.
People don't care. They are too stupid to see whats going on. Thats why this country has as many problems as it does(like any other country). All they care about is gay rights and race. NOT whats best for this country and its future.
buying a Glock
Really? They want to promote it in other countries? You would think they would promote it here before they push gay right to other countries. I remember a saying "lead by example"... Also, Why waste our money on things we're not willing to do ourselves? I can think of better things to spend our tax money on... Like our debt, or our schools, or heck, maybe even our homeless. Let the LGBT fund a project like that with their donations and members.
It's not like we got anything better to do with the money we're borrowing from China.
We failed at getting into the heads of people, now we're trying to get in their pants? America, come home.
Using tax dollars to promote gayness abroad is the right thing to do. It will make us look like a fair minded and open country. Our enemies will admire us for this and once Muslim countries go gay, all violence will melt away and there will only be love.
Frankly, I'm sick of my hard-earned American tax dollars funding things that I personally don't believe in, like the national Christmas tree that they put up at the White House every year. Here's a great compromise: Let's stop using our country's money to support human rights in other countries only if we likewise stop wasting our money on promoting dumb religious symbols in our own country.
Another waste of American's hard earned tax dollars! We have homeless vets in the streets and people and children starving; and were going to give money to another country for Gay rights! What a joke these politcians have become!
We should keep our nose out of it. Take care of our own country!!!!!!!
The US already works towards ensuring religious rights in other nations yet no one screams about that. What you conservative "persecuted" crybabies can't stand is gay people. Why don't you just admit it?
Im a 29 yo gay male and even I find this odd and uncomfortable. How can you promote rights abroad when you cant even legalize gay marriage within your own country? I believe in rights for all but at the same time I think singling out the gay community like the media has done over the last year detracts from the idea that all men (and women) are created equal. Cant we just make things fair for everyone without making a big deal about it?
Unfortunately it is hard to right a wrong without calling it out publicly.
@ Chris sorry brother your fruity friend have an agenda and force those beliefs I dont agree with down our throats the more they do the mor e angrier people will get. The shyt is going to backfire and it's going to hurt all you in the long run. You cant make people accept what they believe is against the will of God. I have accepted there are some white people Democrat and Republican who will never accept black people, it doesnt matter what the Civil Rights Bill done. It still did not change alot of peoples personal belief. Tell your friends to stop I as a African-American will never accept it because of my belief in God PERIOD.
... ummm... this is how we got Trillions into debt.
If America wants to promote human rights why do water boarding and secret CIA prisons still exist?Start with the basics America stop your torture policies all over the world
NO! That's stupid! Why does America have to get involved with other countries decisions on such a small thing. America didn't go around promoting important things like equal rights for blacks and women. So what if other countries do not permit gay rights? Don't we have more important things to worry about?! UGH
Stop wasting our tax money. This is why we need a new president.
Any President/Congress, regardless of party, will waste our tax money,
Did I miss the checkbox on my 1040 asking if I want $1 to go to supporting gay rights abroad?
Why not! Let's spred our moral decay around the world so we can all morally sink together in our people-made boats.
Promoting "Gay / Lesbian" lifestyle to control population growth in third world Countries?....... Its beginning to make sense!
I am all for basic human rights for everyone around the world. There are bigger fish to fry than gay/lesbian right in other countries though. I just want to see Africans stop cutting people up with machetes.
If you want that, then you should be 100% behind this move. Do a little research, please. It goes a long way in preventing you from embarrassing yourself.
These countries should reject the money that the US wants to give for HIVAIDS if it comes with "strings" attached. Africa right now has the highest population of AIDS in the world and yet they are countries unlike the rich world, that can least afford to fight it, recently the Philipines has had an increase in incidences of AIDS among gay males and this increase may spread to the larger population as it has in the past ,so 'banning any behavior" that would endanger the health of the larger population may be necessary for poor countries that have little resources to fight and are already the hardest hit until they can get this disease under control.
The US has not solved it own problems in this area (gay rights) - from "don't ask, don't tell" to gay marriage one day then no gay marriage the next -- if these countries allow the US to determine what their behavior will be on an issue that may be detrimental to their health (unlike women's rights, etc.), there is a possiblity the disease will spread, they may need more money to fight it - what will the US require of them to get more aid -- will it require them to vote the way it wants them to on certain issues in international affairs?
I do not want my tax dollars used to support gay rights anywhere, especially in other countries. What is the matter with this dumbo president?
I am so sick of these idiots who say that gay rights are "special" rights. What kind of delusional, horrifyingly stupid mind thinks of equality as something that is a privilege? It's NOT a privilege. It is a HUMAN RIGHT. Get that through your pathetic little head, and I may consider respecting you as a human being.
Gosh, really? Has anyone ever given you the impression that he gives a rat's @s$ whether or not you respect him as a human being? You VASTLY overestimate your importance to the world!
Oh really, Jim? And with your way of thinking, little man, it is no wonder the world is filled with complete idiots starting with you!
Can we PLEASE focus our attention on something besides gay rights? I think people over there, gay or not, need aid. Let's put the rainbow flags and political agendas away and help the dying and impoverished.
Well you see this is exactly what this is all about. GLBT people are literally dying all over the world due to the bigoted intolerance of their lifestyle. These are Human Beings we are talking about. Stop to think that we even protect things not human so how much more should we do with those who are! Many gays in foreign countries are also impoverished due to being denied jobs to make a living as well as housing, and transportation. This is why a good Education Campaign like this can work wonders to start to eliminate the hate and strife they undergo on a Daily basis abroad. It is the Humane thing to do!
this is dumb. if you wanna do something for gay rights, why not fix gay rights in your own country first?
Protecting human rights (including gay rights) is part and parcel of being an American. Bigotry should never be tolerated – at home or abroad. Interestingly enough, a church in Indiana just ousted an inter-racial couple! Hate is hate – whether it is against inter-reacial couples or gays. Churches that promote such bigotry are un-American.
So, the Republican's idea is to not bring focus to this world-wide problem of gay discrimination and bashings. Well, of course it is. This is why they come out fighting as they do so gays can continue to be bashed around the world as well as at home. Have Republicans no shame! What President Obama is doing is exemplary in this effort! I can think of so many other things that our tax dollars have been used for and continue to be used for that don't reference Human Rights at all. This is indeed a Human Rights issue! What if the administration would choose to remain silent on the rights of blacks in this country if they had not already gained them? Do you think promoting black rights with tax dollars would be so unfair and a waste of money? Think about THAT! So, get over your prejudices people! Get over them already and accept the fact that GLBT people are your family members, friends, relatives, business associates, etc. and they vote and pay their fair share in taxes too! They are no less human than you are, though at times prejudiced bigots don't act humane at all. Enough said.
this artical is gay
The money should be used to demote muz lem mu-home oh's. I can't even say those words on cnn because they believe they are o fence ive
Oh, and not in africa, don't those poor people have enough aids?
They certainly have enough aids from all the straight people.......so what is your point relative to this article?
No. I'm afraid that's not humanitarian aid. It's a waste of money like much of the foriegn aid we give out.
it's less of a waste than other things I've seen our government spend money on.
Personally I think that all monies should be spent at home helping here before a dime goes anywhere else but since our politicians will short us anyway...NO, money should only be spent on humanitarian aid not cause de jours.
The hell if I'll allow my tax dollars to fund this o'bama agenda!
america must not stick it's nose to other countries internal affairs.
as a free country, we must not become a bully like the ex-soviet union. because we are bullying rest of the world as we speak.
Gay rights? They have exactly the same rights as I do. Why should they have more? And let the other countries pay for their own gay rights.
No one is asking for "special" rights Rick Perry, we're asking for EQUAL rights. Using the phrase "special rights" is a deliberate misrepresentation of the issue.
Tax money going to this project ( human rights abroad) is a little bit.. Basically nothing.. So don't worry people!! You should worry about the money the government spends in the lazy asses who are in unemployment, the millions in Medicaid.. Many abuse the system... I know a nurse whose son has medicaid! WTH!
@Sue..you're totally right..special rights would be if a gay employee will earn more than their coworkers, if a gay person who marries would receive money from the government or a gay person gets a better health insurance...
It's so shameful how many Americans simply don't understand a topic as human rights. Aren't americans suppossed to be leaders in rights?? All human beings deserve equal rights.. Some people argue saying gays are sick people blah blah look at hetero people..there r sick people too! There are good honest people in both groups..
How about american tax dollars for american people????? WOW!! what a concept!!!!!!!
No it should be used to book the ones we got here a one way trip to Saudi Arabia.
I can understand your fear, but forcing me to marry a female would be as out of character as you marrying someone outside of your family tree.
I don't think we should be spending money we don't have on ANY foreign aid. We're completely broke and Obama wants to go push gay rights aboard? I could care less what the issue is, (aside from humanitarian aid to people facing danger), we shouldn't be pumping money that we don't have into other countries.
American support of gay rights plays well in the secular and liberalized Europe, but antagonizes traditional societies in Asia, Africa, the Islamic and Catholic worlds. It reinforces statements made by Islamic radicals that America is a godless place rampant with alcohol, promiscuity, gambling, and sodomy. It reduces America's soft power in the areas of the world in which we need a better American image. So, the question to all is "to what extent do Asia, Islamic world, Africa, and South America want their countries to become gay-friendly?"
It is heartwarming to read that America is finally realizing that gay people are human and deserve to be treated with respect and dignity. It is also refreshing to realize that the bible thumpers are losing more credibility with each passing second. Mythology should not dictate people's lives. What consenting people do in the privacy of their own bedrooms will not bring the end of America. Ignorant people who remain steadfast that our lives should be DICTATED by a book written thousands of years ago by PEOPLE thousands of years ago will keep us in the dark ages. Viva America!
How funny how they try to camouflage Gay rights under the umbrella of human rights, seriously? People are not stupid, Why do you have to take you're personal bedrooms affairs into a discussion of human rights and so on... You know their people in this nation believe it or not that source to bestiality, polygamy, etc. when is it going to stop? today Gay rights tomorrow Bestiality rights. We need to keep to our core and traditional believes and anything else keep it private I Don't have any problem with putting money on defending human rights despite what their personal and private affairs are, but i do have a problem with tax payers money going towards promoting a particular group, with particular preference specially when its going towards something that contradicts my personal believes. Gay people wouldn't want their money going towards promoting traditional marriage would they now.
You are a sounding board for the mentally and compassionately challenged. Bravo.
funny how the try to camouflage Gay rights under the umbrella of human rights, seriously!
You know the real Dr. Dre would have tons of more intelligence and compassion for an issue concerning Human Rights than you, you poor excuse for an idiot!
This aid isn't about 'equal' rights for gays, this is about convincing people not to imprison or kill people that are gay or suspecting of being gay. This is very much a human rights issue.
Makes you wonder who is sucking who in Washington.
So this means we are giving away tax dollars to countries who let men bang men & women bang women?
.....i guess our founding fathers must be so happy in their graves !!
If these people( Obama, Lady Rodham, etc.) wish to spend money on a "gay" rights project in any country let them fund it with their own deep pockets. These liberal "leaders" just flat out stink!
So instead, MY tax money should be used to promote discrimination, and government regulations of people's own bodies?
Liberals gave blacks civil rights, women the right to vote, children protection against sweat shop labor, workers safe working conditions, and YOU the right to not bow to the British Throne or the Nazi flag.
Remember that when you rant about how bad liberals are.
We should not give them ANY money. Period. This 3rd world continent is corrupt as it gets and all they do with our tax dollar is wasting them at the first opportunity.
We also HAVE given money to countries before based on "religious reasons". So NOT giving them any money for human rights abuses is clearly more important. If we must advance religious agendas by giving them money, we can also force them to quit abusing humans by not giving them money. period.
Keep this up Demo's, and this country may just stop paying your high taxes to support the ones that don't work and the ones you want to shove down everybody's throat. It will not take much more.
KMA
stfu
We don't allow equality here, why should we allow it in other countries. This would would completely collapse if we didn't have people to mock, persecute, assault, and murder. If everyone were treated equally regardless of birth, lifestyle choice, religion, or wealth, the world would simply come to end.
(for the terminally stupid: this is called sarcasm)
We could make Sandusky our GAY ambassador
He's not gay....he's a pedophile. And based on the fact that he is married, quite likely a straight pedophile.
Exporting Gay Rights? huhmmmm another excuse to invade or bombed another nation? you are not gay enough? Ridcles. Each Civil Right has to be develop by the Citizens of each Country, not impose, not acquire.
Society has hit a new low, congrats cesspool dwellers.
Bigotry, hatred and prejudice is the lowest anybody can go. They are the muck on the bottom of a cesspool.
http://www.usdebtclock.org/ and you think we need to send money over seas
As best I can tell, the gay population in the US is 5% or less.
This proposal would have 95% of Americans financing something they don't agree with.
It's ok, Perry, no one is asking for special rights.
Just equal rights.
So go back to your hickville with your C- Texas education and inability to remember even the basic facts of how our government is structured. No one listens to you anyway.
ok let me get this straight, we're in a recession, unemployment 8%, trillions in debt and these knucleheads want to hand out aid to them? really? how about aid to heteros? where's my bailout? Hillary and Obama's priorities are warped at best
True, I see gays, straights, blacks, whites, hispanics, Indians, poor people, people who lost fortunes and many other Citizens standing in the unemployment line together.
Being gay and living in one of the most Republican run states, I find this very bothersom. Let's get our priorities, and rights straight in our own country before we try to help others.
America gives Pakistan a lot of money in Aid. Is Clinton also going to demand Gay rights there?????
It is a shame on Psident Obama to threaten africans governments of promoting gays and lisbians rights in Africa, remember you created by God and not man, and God opposes two men or two women living together as one family. Look, am dissapointed in your adminstration, and my family and i will not vote for you in 2012 Election. You can not force us to do what africans don't want in thier society. Woe unto you.
Lets see, oil prices high, no pipeline and cuts in heating oil subsidies. Home owners underwater yet for the take on one of Obamas $35,000 a head fundraisers could help 100's of homeowners. 20 Billion dollars to green companies that gave the most during his 08 election. Now we are sending aid to countries trying to bribe them to change their established culture to accept gays. The Dollar has declined so much its not worth what it was anyway. They will take the money and laugh at us yet again. Send that aid to Appalachia where community organizers never go and help.
I can't believe this administration! I don't want a dime of my tax money to be used this way. This issue should be getting much more publicity. The American people would surely object. Another reason for regime change in the U.S.
Geez... what a total waste of money. So, now the US should send money to promote marriage is ONLY between a man and a woman.