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Obama Clashes with African Host over Gay Rights.....

MMC said:
Heya SL. :2wave: Seems the Reporter asked the same of Sall too. Which was after Obama question.

Perhaps acknowledging the culture of Senegal, where 96 percent of the population practice Islam, Obama maintained he respects the customs and traditions in different countries.

“The issue of gays and lesbians, and how they’re treated, has come up and has been controversial in many parts of Africa,” Obama said. “So I want the African people just to hear what I believe, and that is that every country, every group of people, every religion have different customs, different traditions. And when it comes to people’s personal views and their religious faith, et cetera, I think we have to respect the diversity of views that are there.”

In his response to the question, Sall struck a different tone, saying his country won’t decriminalize homosexuality as he maintained his country is very tolerant and doesn’t believe in discrimination.

“We don’t tell anybody that he will not be recruited because he is gay or he will not access a job because his sexual orientation is different,” Sall said. “But we are still not ready to decriminalize homosexuality. I’ve already said it in the past, in our Cabinet meeting it is Senegal’s option, at least for the time being, while we have respect for the rights of homosexuals — but for the time being, we are still not ready to change the law.”

And, President Sall, may I ask you, sir — thank you, first of all, for your hospitality. You just said you embrace democracy and freedom. As this country’s new President, sir, will you work to decriminalize homosexuality in this country?.....snip~

Obama talks DOMA, gay rights in Africa - Washington Blade - America's Leading Gay News Source : Washington Blade – America's Leading Gay News Source

Looks like Sall Gave them his Answer. Their not ready. Not in his Country. Not for him, anywhere in the world.
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The part you put in bold cast this in an entirely different light and I am spitting the foul fowl meat OUT.
 
sawyerloggingon said:
OK thanks. apparently I am eating crow for lunch. :lol:
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It's all good, I had to look it up, I just had a feeling that with what he said, and it happening at a press conference of all things, that there was a question asked about it.
 
sawyerloggingon said:
The part you put in bold cast this in an entirely different light and I am spitting the foul fowl meat OUT.
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Yes, seems the reporter had that on his mind. Rather than what why and wherefore Obama was there in Senegal. A Muslim Country of 96% yet Obama says lets Respect diversity while accepting equality with all.

I am sure they understood it fully! :lol:
 
sawyerloggingon said:
All down hill since then, scandal after scandal, loss after loss except in the gay arena.
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Good afternoon, sawyerloggingon. :2wave:

Well, that answers a question I asked earlier of another poster about why BHO is discussing homosexuality on a State visit to Senegal! It's the only sort-of "win" he can tout at the moment? :shock: And we are paying how many tax dollars for this trip? :screwy:
 
MMC said:
Seriously....perhaps the problem starts with yourself wherein you attempt to think for others. Then use deceit to think you can get some roll out. Now wheres the link that says I back the ****. Did you still want to try and tell me and others what I think or feel? Or do I need to address that idiocy further?
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Trying to deny what you did is kinda silly at this point don't you think? Amusing, yes, but kinda silly.
 
polgara said:
Good afternoon, MMC . :2wave:

Obama said, "People should be treated equally, and that's a principle that I think applies universally."

BHO must not understand that people in Africa, as well as the rest of the world, read newspapers and follow the news about what happens in the USA. For him to make that statement now, when all the various scandals have erupted about unequal treatment of numerous groups in various venues, and remembering that he referred to Repubs as "enemies," seems ludicrous. :confused:

And why would he even bring up a topic like homosexuality in Senegal? Sheesh!!
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Hiya Lady Polgara :2wave: Been sometime.....I think they (Team Obama) thought they would have an easy Photo Op say a few words Smile his Cheshire Grin and would have hit the road. While the AP Reporter helped get Obama's comments out there on the SCOTUS ruling. I don't think Sall saying he had already told them before what Senegal Stance was. Puts all in perspective. ;)
 
iguanaman said:
Tolerance of racism, bigotry and discrimination is no virtue.

There is no doubt about 1000 years of difference between the Taliban and the right wing, but the aim and justifications are much the same.
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As you have illustrated, it's critical you let people know you believe a group who celebrates the mutilation and assasination of women and non-believers are the same as Christians.

:thumbs:

ZZZZZAAAAAAPPPPP! Another theoretical puff of smoke...

You know, it's getting hard to "see" around here...
 
Redress said:
Trying to deny what you did is kinda silly at this point don't you think? Amusing, yes, but kinda silly.
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Oh back to play with words. Not quite but nice try with follow thru on your lack of comprehension and not understanding English. From my Very First Post.


Obama got some smack down put upon him by the Leader of Senegal today. Obama thought he could push the Gay Right Agenda outside the US. He was given an answer he didn't want to here. Then had to make sure he didn't bite his lip and show that bewildered look......snip~

This is how I started, Note nowhere does it state I back those against homosexuality. Again a lie and a deception by yourself. As well Now the rest of what I posted.

Obama was feeling cocky about the SCOTUS ruling and then tried to pass off those thoughts to some African Nations. Looks like those in the Muslims world of the African Nations are saying Gay Rights are Unacceptable anywhere in the world. 39 of their Countries Criminalize those over such a lifestyle. 4 countries put people to death if caught with the same sex, and what they also consider an Unnatural act.

Obama is avoiding Kenya, notice how after he approved the drones for Kenya how fast their President was charged with War Crimes.....snip~

Notice I reported the same stats that the article stated. Notice once again.....no where does your failed faulty concept come into play. Now how do you think that makes you look when you obviously know not what you are talking about. Seem you really jumped out way in left field with something you thought was there but wasn't.....at all.

Do you always see things that are not there? Can I have some of what you have been smoking? Did you want to try and amuse me some more while I dissect the idiocy?
 
RabidAlpaca said:
"We're not ready to decriminalize homosexuality, but we are NOT homophobic."

That's the most ridiculous statement I've ever heard.

I wish people would just buck up and own their hate instead of trying to play it off like cowards.
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Redress said:
That is not even the funniest part of this. The funniest part is that MMC loves it since the guy criticized Obama. Doesn't matter what the criticism is, if you complain about Obama, you are good to him.
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A little bit of actual cultural understanding would go a long way in this discussion. The point is not whether BHO was right or wrong (I happen to support the SCOTUS decision) but that he displayed woeful ignorance and a provincial sensibility.:roll:
 
Jack Hays said:
A little bit of actual cultural understanding would go a long way in this discussion. The point is not whether BHO was right or wrong (I happen to support the SCOTUS decision) but that he displayed woeful ignorance and a provincial sensibility.:roll:
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He was answering a question from a reporter. And the same people who would complain about his "lack of cultural understanding"(hilarious in that these are the same people who bitch about other cultures the most), would complain if he tried to duck a question.
 
Redress said:
He was answering a question from a reporter. And the same people who would complain about his "lack of cultural understanding"(hilarious in that these are the same people who bitch about other cultures the most), would complain if he tried to duck a question.
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Who would "the same people" be? Anyone who has lived in Africa could have crafted a suitably nuanced statement for BHO.:cool:
 
Jack Hays said:
Who would "the same people" be? Anyone who has lived in Africa could have crafted a suitably nuanced statement for BHO.:cool:
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Hiya Jack. :2wave: Perhaps this will put some perspective on how it all came to play out.

Obama walks tightrope on gay rights in Africa

A young man wearing rainbow suspenders entered the heavily-guarded residence of the United States ambassador to Ivory Coast. So did a transgender woman in a ruffled, purple gown, as well as seven men wearing matching baby blue pants and neckties.

The U.S. embassy here made history earlier this month by hosting a gay pride reception attended by about two dozen openly gay Ivorians. Despite the groundbreaking nature of the event, reporters were barred from attending, and the only mention of it was a short blurb on the embassy website posted the following week.

The handling of the event encapsulates the U.S. administration's cautious promotion of gay rights in Africa, an issue that is likely to come up during President Barack Obama's visit this week to three African nations — South Africa, Senegal and Tanzania — the last two of which punish homosexuality with jail time. The U.S. has made it a priority to promote gay rights overseas, but officials pick and choose when they talk about it, often citing concerns about igniting a backlash that could endanger local activists.

"I asked the ambassador whether Obama would discuss the issue when he goes to Senegal," said Claver Toure, who attended the private reception and is executive director of the gay and lesbian group, Alternative Cote d'Ivoire. "It will be very important for him to talk about us with African leaders, and also in his speeches. It will give us strength to let us know that we are not alone."

By signing a December 2011 memorandum instructing federal agencies to promote the human rights of gay people overseas, Obama publicly inserted himself into Africa's bitter debate about whether homosexuals have legitimate rights. Since then American diplomats have forcefully pressed for gay rights behind closed doors, especially in countries that criminalize homosexuality, say experts and advocates. Officials have also expanded outreach to local organizations promoting gay and lesbian rights, improved monitoring of anti-gay abuses and established an emergency fund for activists facing violence or harassment.

But the public positioning has been discreet, with the U.S. government clearly wary of any backlash that could put local activists at risk.

"Given that African societies tend to be very conservative, it's a difficult issue," Carter, the U.S. ambassador in Ivory Coast, told The Associated Press. "The question for us is, how do we advocate effectively and advance the human rights agenda for the LGBT community, or any other community that is in a difficult position? And sometimes the headlong assault isn't the way to do it."

Obama's decision to champion a hugely unpopular cause — both with the December 2011 memorandum and his public endorsement of gay marriage last year — has prompted soul-searching among some of his African fans.

But while some campaigners say Obama is uniquely positioned to change minds on gay rights in Africa, there is concern that strong public statements from the president would merely be giving ammunition to a hostile opposition that has long dismissed the push for gay rights as an example of Western powers imposing their values on Africa.....snip~

Obama walks tightrope on gay rights in Africa

Looks like it was Pre-empted.....huh? So much for the Reporters so called question.
 
MMC said:
So then why is it trending again? Why are those overseas all excited over Obama clashing with this leader? Seems those in the Muslim world were quite interested. Even if those on the left in the US aren't!!!!!
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It is trending for the same reason paris hilton's ass acne would trend. So now you are worried what overseas muslims find important? I am not sure why they are so worried about this with Obama droning the hell out of them, but I guess some people ignore the big things and focus on the insignificant.
 
roughdraft274 said:
Got the smack down? Hardly, lol. A foreign leader, from a country so backwards on homosexuality that it is criminalized, doesn't agree with his views on the presidents domestic policy. Hardly a "smack down". Typical of todays news culture though. Blow everything out of proportion. Did you criticize someone? Oh then you gave them a smack down. Bunch of crap, lol.
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I think it is funny that anyone anywhere who sees homosexuality as what it really is, is considered backward to you. I would think the opposite is true. Why go back to the gutter if you live in a house?
 
Redress said:
I am a liberal. That does not change the fact that you extrapolated from one to many, something I just yesterday criticized a conservative for doing. Also note that many conservatives are for SSM. I know of no conservatives outside of maybe MMC who think homosexuality should be criminalized.
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He's not the only one I assure you.
 
MMC said:
Swing and another miss Redress.....I luv it that the News actually Reported the incident as is and didn't give it that sugar coating you like to hear. Wherein they Pump up your man to make him seem to be more that what he actually is. But do I like Obama and know exactly what he is. Like him, Not even in the least...... Know him, 10 times more and better than anything you know about him or even could possibly know about him.

Get back to me when ya quit slurping up all Obama has to say as the Gospel. Rather than being told what to believe in.

Now did you want to try for strike two?
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:lol:

So, you are rejoicing in the fact that homosexuality is a punishable crime in that country, because it allows you to attack Obama?

Do you have any sense of integrity?
 
Texmex said:
I think it is funny that anyone anywhere who sees homosexuality as what it really is, is considered backward to you. I would think the opposite is true. Why go back to the gutter if you live in a house?
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Obviously we have differing definitions of what homosexuality "really is". The "reality" is that the more educated and more cultured a society becomes, the less likely they are to have your views on homosexuality. That's just the fact of it. In 30 years, people in this country are going to be looking back at these things that we are dealing with now, such as don't ask don't tell and DOMA and just scratching their heads wondering how anyone could be so against gay people that they would waste time passing laws against them. Your side is going to eventually die out, only to be an endangered species, much like the people that opposed the civil rights movement. So get in all the swings you can now, because I can't tell you the exact time, we may be looking at it right now, but your side is 100% on the losing side of history.
 
Equality and homosexual rights are important to many on this forum and in the united States, however for Obama to make his first trip as president to this country and start out with this particular adversarial dialogue seems more like grandstanding to his supporters in the United States rather than any meaningful attempt to build a productive overseas relationship with these people.
 
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roughdraft274 said:
Obviously we have differing definitions of what homosexuality "really is". The "reality" is that the more educated and more cultured a society becomes, the less likely they are to have your views on homosexuality. That's just the fact of it. In 30 years, people in this country are going to be looking back at these things that we are dealing with now, such as don't ask don't tell and DOMA and just scratching their heads wondering how anyone could be so against gay people that they would waste time passing laws against them. Your side is going to eventually die out, only to be an endangered species, much like the people that opposed the civil rights movement. So get in all the swings you can now, because I can't tell you the exact time, we may be looking at it right now, but your side is 100% on the losing side of history.
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Well in 30 years I won't be concerned about this at all. I imagine by then those who support this deviant behavior will be even more in vogue. Mankind's lust for sin knows no bounds.
 
Texmex said:
Mankind's lust for sin knows no bounds.
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Religions lust for twisting normal human feelings and emotion into "sin" only to try to control people knows no bounds.
 
Ray410 said:
Certainly equality and homosexual rights are important to many on this forum and in the united States, however for Obama to make his first trip as president to this country and start out with this particular adversarial dialogue seems more like grandstanding to his supporters in the United States rather than any meaningful attempt to build a productive overseas relationship with these people.
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He was asked a question about it. He answered the question. Why you are criticizing him for answering a question I have no idea.
 
roughdraft274 said:
Religions lust for twisting normal human feelings and emotion into "sin" only to try to control people knows no bounds.
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:lamo :lamo :lamo :lamo
 
But, it kind of gets down to what right do we have to judge others with our social mores. Different cultures have different views.
 
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