a rant and an open letter to President Obama

EDIT: Since I posted this, things have started to look up. They also started to look down, and now they're doing both (I hope things don't get too bad of vertigo...) so while I still want things to change and promises to be followed through on, I want to remind everyone to keep up on politics so that you can form your own educated opinions. Sometimes it feels like one voice can't make a difference, but that should mean you speak louder, not less.

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Lily Allen put out a song on her album It's Not Me, It's You called Fuck You (well, technically called F**k You, but...) which is generally regarded as a jab (or full on stab, you pick) at George W. Bush, the (thankfully) former President of the United States.

I, as an openly bisexual, well educated, open minded, 18 year old female residing in the USA, believe that the song is perfect. 

Now, the thing is...

Even though Bush is gone, we still haven't fixed the problems that are really keeping us from evolving as a people. 

I was unsure about the last election, and if it had been up to me Hilary Clinton would be in office. When she wasn't an option... well, that's a rock and a hard place.

Fortunately, I wasn't old enough to vote so the fact that Obama has sort of fallen through as a president doesn't fall on my shoulders.

But I've got to say I'm mad right now. 

At the government, at Obama and at the world at large.

Why?

As mentioned, I'm an openly bisexual girl. I have gay and lesbian and bisexual friends, I've dated guys and girls, my mothers friend who has always been an uncle to me is gay, my great uncle was gay and I'm named after his long-time partner...

So the fact that Don't Ask Don't Tell exists? 

That pisses me off.

Just days ago a judge ruled that DADT was unconstitutional. Yeah. Because it is. 

I also believe that it is unconstitutional to treat any social group differently based on age, race, gender or sexual preference. Sometimes I feel like I'm the only one in my home town, where on a daily basis I deal with people of all ages, races, genders and sexual preferences who are complete jerkoffs about things.

My father is Arabic and is racist against Mexicans and Mexican Americans. 

My former friend is gay and is homophobic about bisexual people - going so far as to claim that it isn't a real sexuality. He has said this to my face. Thus the "former" in "former friend". 

A girl I went to camp with in Seattle is a feminist who feels that girls who are both feminine and strong are "betraying the cause". 

I know people who are older who judge young people, young people who judge their elders...

It's stupid. 

So FUCKING stupid. 

But right now, the issue on the table is Don't Ask Don't Tell.

Right now, President Obama has the opportunity to END IT. 

And he hasn't.

He doesn't seem like he's going to.

He passed it off to the senate.

Suffice it to say, I'm upset. 

So here is the only statement I can make to our fearful leader.

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Dear President Obama,

Please, for the sake of all Americans of all genders and sexual preferences, grow a pair and chose to NOT appeal the ruling to end Don't Ask Don't Tell. We had no choice but to put our trust in you when you said you would stand up for our rights, and you've betrayed us. Think about how many American lives have been destroyed because you wouldn't just stand up for us. That destruction is on your shoulders, Mr. President. This is a larger conversation that just DADT, but that's the issue you have to face right now. While DADT was conceived with good intentions, it has put a number of talented, intelligent soldiers in a choke hold. Speak about who they are, even on accident, and they lose everything. Not only do they loose everything, America loses a talented soldier. Lives are lost because translators are let go due to sexuality. Those lives are on your shoulders, the blood on your hands, Mr. President. You always have an excuse for why you dance around issues and don't face them head on, but I'm tired of listening. It's your job to protect American Citizens. It's your job to take the authority we gave you and use it for good. You are failing not only yourself and your family, not only the government and your people, but also the world. How? You're failing to set a good example. You're failing to be a strong leader. 

Stop playing political games. You talked the talk on the campaign trail and got yourself into office, but you then alienated those of us who had to believe in you by falling through on everything.

I'm sick of it, Mr. President. I'm sick of not having the same rights as the rest of the country. I'm sick of knowing that every day peoples jobs are at risk because of who they are, not because of any valid reason. 

The facts and figures will tell you the same thing that I'm stating here. Your numbers are down. Face it, you don't have a choice. If you don't put on your big boy pants and take charge, you're not going to have a chance to put it right in a second term.

So stop failing us, Mr. President. We deserve better than this.

Yours truly,

Sascha Marie