Obama on spot as rulings aid gay partners

[foxfeet]

He must decide whether to provide health insurance to same-sex partners

By Robert Pear
The New York Times

updated 9:26 p.m. PT, Thurs., March. 12, 2009
WASHINGTON - Just seven weeks into office, President Obama is being forced to confront one of the most sensitive social and political issues of the day: whether the government must provide health insurance benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees.

In separate, strongly worded orders, two judges of the federal appeals court in California said that employees of their court were entitled to health benefits for their same-sex partners under the program that insures millions of federal workers.

But the federal Office of Personnel Management has instructed insurers not to provide the benefits ordered by the judges, citing a 1996 law, the Defense of Marriage Act.
More at:http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29669739/

Time for Obama to step up and do the right thing. It's not as if the Republicans could be any more pissed off or obstructionist than they are now. Extend the benefits!

[Runcible Spoon]

1. FUCK DOMA!

Obama has an historical opportunity to back equal rights and I will be heartbroken if he doesn't do the right thing here.

[anigbrowl]

3. I hope he sides with the judges, but it's a complex legal issue

It may be better to encourage Congress to repeal DOMA; one can't just dismiss the law by fiat, even if one is the president. I haven't looked at the text of the court decisions yet, so I don't know how the opinions of the judges stack up against the possibility of appeal.

[FreeState]

4. Im not terribly hopeful

but if Obama wants to prove all the GLBT activist that have been concerned about him here is his chance.

[stillcool]

2. Rubber meets the road..